OpenAI and Rain's Ambitious Collaboration in AI Chip Development
Dec/06/2023
OpenAI's exploratory foray into advanced AI chip technology, marked by a $51 million letter of intent with startup Rain, exemplifies the intertwining of tech innovation and corporate strategy. Rain, a company with personal investment from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, is crafting neuromorphic processing units (NPUs) inspired by human brain functionalities, aiming for a revolutionary leap in computing power and energy efficiency. Despite a substantial agreement in 2019, OpenAI has yet to proceed further, reflecting the complex landscape of emerging tech ventures. Based less than a mile from OpenAI in San Francisco, Rain has garnered attention for its potential to disrupt conventional AI models with its NPUs, potentially offering a hundredfold increase in computing power over traditional GPUs. However, the path has not been smooth; recent leadership changes and national security concerns, specifically the mandated divestment of Saudi Arabia-affiliated fund Prosperity7 Ventures, have introduced hurdles in Rain's journey to market. With OpenAI still in search of reliable partners to meet its ambitious hardware needs, this collaboration spotlights the intricate dance between innovation, investment, and national security in the rapidly evolving realm of artificial intelligence. The visualization below depicts trademark filings by Rain Neuromorphics Inc. submitted on June 28, 2021 (for RAIN NEUROMORPHICS) and on June 14, 2021 (for RAIN NEUROMORPHIC PROCESSING UNIT).
