Google and AMD are reportedly working on a new Tensor chip together that would be used on future hardware devices. These new, custom TPUs are said to be for processing heavy AI workloads. It isn’t mentioned, however, what types of hardware these TPUs would be for. Pixel devices have Tensor chips that come with integrated TPUs for processing on-device AI workloads from Gemini and other AI-based features. Google’s TPUs can also be found in Google Cloud data centers.
Google has been designing and producing its own TPUs up until this point without any partners like AMD. Which has raised questions about why Google would tap AMD for this project if it really doesn’t need a partner for such a piece of tech. According to reports, it’s suspected that Google wants AMD’s help with things that have to do with areas of TPU production that it isn’t as good at, but that AMD excels at.
Google is suspected to be partnering with AMD on a new Tensor chip for things like on-package CPU cores
As mentioned, neither Google nor AMD have confirmed this partnership is underway. But, the report from Tom’s Hardware, which cites details about the partnership from Sean on X, mentions that a likely reason Google is looking to AMD for assistance on this project is because AMD can provide things that Google can’t do itself. Such as CPU IP and/or programming logic.
It’s also being reported that AMD could benefit by having another way to generate revenue from companies who are spending money on hyperscaler AI. Another reason Google is suspected to be bringing AMD on board for this is on-packaging cores, which could help with a variety of performance results like power efficiency and “general-purpose Tensor compute.” In addition to this new rumored Tensor Processing Unit, Google is also said to be working on the Tensor G7 for Pixel devices.
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