Continuing a Trend Among Tech Giants, Intel Acquires AI Startup for $400 million

Intel is acquiring Nervana Systems, a deep learning startup, for just over $400 million, continuing a trend of tech titans snapping up artificial intelligence firms.

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Diego, Nervana has a fully optimized software and hardware stack for deep learning.

“We will apply Nervana’s software expertise to further optimize the Intel Math Kernel Library and its integration into industry standard frameworks,” explains Intel’s Diane Bryant, while “Nervana’s Engine and silicon expertise will advance Intel’s AI portfolio and enhance the deep learning performance and TCO of our Intel Xeon and Intel Xeon Phi processors.”

Encompassing compute methods like advanced data analytics, computer vision, natural language processing and machine learning, artificial intelligence is transforming the way businesses operate and how people engage with the world.

“We’ll look back in 10 years and see this time as the inflection point of when compute architectures became neural,” says Nervana CEO Naveen Rao. “Nervana’s AI expertise combined with Intel’s capabilities and huge market reach will allow us to realize our vision and create something truly special.”

Google’s acquisition of DeepMind, an AI company, is saving the company hundreds of millions of dollars through smarter data center management.

Google Uses Artificial Intelligence on Servers to Slash Electricity Bill

And Apple has been acquiring several deep learning startups recently as it looks to improve products such as Siri.

Apple Acquires Machine Learning Startup Turi for $200 Million