Scarce supply isn’t the only issue worrying hyperscalers when it comes to relying on Nvidia GPUs: the other factor is high price. The quest for a cheaper, homegrown alternative is driving Amazon’s chip development effort, according to a Reuters report. And Nvidia’s dominant position in the AI market prompted U.S. progressive groups and Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren to press the Department of Justice to investigate the GPU leader over competition concerns. Meanwhile, Cerebras – an Nvidia competitor – has reportedly filed for an initial public offering in the United States, in a confidential manner.
Ultra Librarian-Footprintku AI partnership
Ultra Librarian has announced a partnership with Footprintku AI aimed at bringing Footprintku AI’s technologies in Design-for-Manufacturing (DFM) processes into the Ultra Librarian CAD library. Goal of this collaboration is to provide a new on-demand DFM-aware library for companies looking to enhance and validate their libraries for DFM.
New fab updates: Amkor, SK hynix
Packaging service provider Amkor has signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms with the US Department of Commerce to receive proposed funding as part of the CHIPS and Science Act. Amkor announced in November 2023 its plans to build its first domestic OSAT (outsourced semiconductor assembly and test) facility in Peoria, Arizona. The company projects to invest approximately $2 billion and employ approximately 2,000 people at the new facility. Upon completion, this will be the largest outsourced advanced packaging and test facility in the United States. The terms include up to $400 million in proposed direct funding, and access to $200 million in proposed loans.
