Intel Announces Free AI PC Acceleration Program

On Wednesday, Intel unveiled an AI PC developer initiative that aims to introduce over 300 artificial intelligence (AI) features across 2024.

The California-headquartered company seeks to accelerate the research, development, and deployment of next-generation AI technologies. Hence, it plans to support software developers, independent software vendors, and independent hardware vendors in streamlining their processes.

Approved applicants will learn how to restructure their workflows using software, tools, and hardware powered by Intel Core Ultra processors. The chipmaker collaborated with over 150 hardware vendors to provide cutting-edge resources to AI developers and vendors from any field.

In addition, participants will gain free access to the brand’s latest AI and machine learning tools and resources. This includes OpenVINO, a toolkit designed for optimizing and deploying large language models (LLMs) and generative AI (GenAI) systems.

Furthermore, the program will provide courses and certifications to help the participants understand the latest AI technologies and innovations. It will assist hardware vendors in upgrading their systems to maximize efficiency and facilitate a smooth user experience.

Intel has already partnered with industry leaders, including Adobe and Blackmagic Design, to update their systems to fully take advantage of AI PCs. Interested developers and vendors can register for the acceleration program for free through the brand’s development portal.

AI PC Tech to Push Intel to the Forefront of GenAI

Last year, Intel launched the AI PC, a computer that uses a neural processing unit (NPU) instead of a CPU. This setup uses an Ultra Core processor with a built-in AI accelerator to handle sustained AI workloads natively.

AI PCs eliminate the need for expensive graphics processing units (GPUs) when utilizing personal or small-scale enterprise LLMs. However, their capabilities are still insufficient to accommodate large-scale deep learning processes and GenAI projects.

Recently, Intel struggled to keep pace with rival GPU makers, controlling only 1.00% of the global GPU market in Q4. Instead of directly competing with Nvidia, which owned 82.00% of the market in 2023, the chipmaker packaged the AI PC as a GPU alternative.