Meta Platforms is set to significantly boost its artificial intelligence infrastructure by striking a multi-year, multi-billion dollar deal with Amazon Web Services (AWS). The agreement will see Meta utilizing AWS's custom-designed Graviton central processing unit (CPU) chips, a move Meta states is a strategic imperative as it scales its AI ambitions.
This significant pact involves Meta using tens of millions of cores powered by Graviton processors. While high-end graphics processing units (GPUs) are critical for training artificial intelligence models, CPUs are essential for their deployment and operation. The CPU market is experiencing renewed growth driven by AI demand.
AWS has been developing its in-house Graviton chips since 2018, with the current fifth generation being produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. AWS highlighted that the cost savings from these custom chips are passed on to customers. Meta's decision diversifies its compute resources, following previous major chip agreements with Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices, and collaborations with Arm Holdings.