Intel partners with AI chip startup SambaNova after talks reportedly failed

Intel has entered a multiyear collaboration with SambaNova that will see SambaNova adopt Intel server chips and graphics cards, and Intel is participating in a reported $350 million funding round; earlier acquisition talks reportedly fell apart.

Intel and SambaNova have announced a multiyear collaboration that will include SambaNova adopting Intel server chips and graphics cards. Intel is also taking part in a reported $350 million funding round for SambaNova. The announcement follows previous reports that talks for an Intel acquisition of SambaNova did not reach agreement. SambaNova is led by CEO Rodrigo Liang and lists customers such as Hugging Face, Meta and other AI labs. Key facts: - SambaNova will adopt Intel server chips and graphics cards under a multiyear collaboration. - Intel is participating in a reported $350 million funding round and had earlier invested in SambaNova in 2019. - Reports say prior talks about an Intel acquisition of SambaNova, valued at about $1.6 billion, fell apart. - SambaNova markets a new SN50 chip it says outperforms GPUs in Nvidia's B200 systems and can connect up to 256 processors. - Customers and partners mentioned include Hugging Face, Meta, major AI labs, and SoftBank, which will deploy the SN50. Summary: The collaboration links Intel hardware with SambaNova systems and establishes joint sales and marketing work intended to increase adoption. Company leaders described planning and phased delivery rather than immediate deployment. Undetermined at this time.