Facebook owner Meta Partners has hired a team based in Oslo, Norway with experience developing artificial intelligence (AI) networking technology, Reuters reported.
The team, which includes at least 10 people, worked at UK-based chip startup Graphcore from the end of 2022 until January 2023.
In response to a news agency request for comment, Meta spokesperson Jon Carvill said:
“They bring deep expertise in the design and development of supercomputing systems to support large-scale AI and machine learning in Meta’s data centers.”
The move marks US technology in a battle to better manage AI work in data centers to keep up with demand for AI-oriented infrastructure from teams across the company working on new products. It is said to give the majors more influence.
Meta uses AI for targeted advertising, post selection, and removal of prohibited content for platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
The company is also rushing to release generative AI products such as ChatGPT, released by Microsoft-backed OpenAI.
According to a person’s job description on LinkedIn, the group worked on network technologies used in AI.
A spokesperson for Meta declined to comment on future efforts.
The US-based giant already has internal units building several types of chips designed to accelerate and maximize the efficiency of AI work.
According to two sources, these include network chips that act as a sort of server air traffic controller.
In October 2022, Graphcore closed its Oslo office as part of a restructuring as it faced stiff competition from US companies such as Nvidia and AMD in the AI chip market.
Meta’s announcement follows news that Microsoft is helping AMD move forward in the AI chip market by providing financial and technical support.
