Programme Director at ARIA (UK's Advanced Research and Invention Agency), running the Scaling Compute programme and launching the Scaling Inference Lab to build neutral testbeds for heterogeneous AI hardware and software co-design.
no scored calls yet — needs a stated position or a categorical verdict, with a matured window vs SPY
Nvidia is already moving toward heterogeneous architecture with its roadmap splitting prefill and decode compute demands, and the Groq acquisition shows intent to build a portfolio of specialized chips. However, history suggests dominant players rarely successfully internally diversify across the full heterogeneity spectrum; market forces will drive a broader ecosystem of specialized providers.
Nvidia's acquisition of Groq signals the incumbent's attempt to internally capture the heterogeneous compute trend by building a portfolio of specialized inference chips. However, historical precedent suggests dominant players struggle to internally diversify across the full spectrum of emerging architectures.
Olix is a European AI hardware company that has raised significant funding. Like other hardware startups, it aims to build full AI systems vertically, but ARIA sees a missing connective tissue between such hardware companies and algorithm companies.