How to Build a Thriving AI Ecosystem with Lisa Su, CEO of AMD
Oct 30, 2024
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Lisa Su, CEO of AMD and a trailblazer in high-performance computing, shares her insights on building a thriving AI ecosystem. She discusses the critical role of semiconductor technology in generative AI and the importance of adapting computing solutions for diverse applications. Su elaborates on navigating the chip supply chain challenges, the impact of the CHIPS Act, and the significance of partnerships in fostering innovation. Additionally, she offers valuable advice for startup founders aiming to contribute to this rapidly evolving landscape.
Lisa Su emphasizes that high-performance compute is crucial for the growth of generative AI, driving innovation in the semiconductor industry.
Collaboration within the semiconductor ecosystem is essential, as AMD promotes open standards to enhance interoperability and foster technological advancement.
Deep dives
AMD's Transformative Leadership
Under Lisa Su’s leadership, AMD has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its market cap to $250 billion. Su's engineering background and insights into semiconductor devices have positioned her to influence the tech industry significantly. When she joined AMD 12 years ago, the focus was on high-performance computing, which has become increasingly critical as industries demand more powerful technology. This evolution underscores how vital semiconductor innovation is in shaping modern advancements, including AI.
The Pervasiveness of AI
AI is recognized as one of the most crucial technological advancements of the past several decades, with implications for enhancing productivity and decision-making. This progress in AI reflects a significant shift where technology is now more accessible and user-friendly, moving beyond expert-centric applications. The accessibility of tools like chatbots marks a turning point that drives widespread adoption of generative AI. Su believes that AI will become integrated into every product that AMD creates, as it underpins the future of computing technology.
Ecosystem Collaboration in Semiconductor Development
The semiconductor industry thrives on collaboration, as no single entity can monopolize the entire ecosystem required for product development. AMD embraces open ecosystems and industry standards, allowing various hardware to interoperate seamlessly together. The recent establishment of connections like the Ultra Accelerator Link illustrates the industry's commitment to cooperative innovation. This strategy is essential to fostering advancement, ensuring that developers can create applications that leverage the best hardware available.
Navigating Supply Chain Challenges
Recent supply chain disruptions, especially during COVID-19, highlighted the semiconductor industry's vulnerabilities when facing unprecedented demand. AMD has adapted by enhancing its forecasting capabilities and ramping up supply to meet market needs, though it acknowledges the complexities in capacity planning due to rapid advancements in AI. The CHIPS Act has been seen as a critical step in bolstering the resilience of the semiconductor supply chain through government support. Moving forward, it emphasizes the importance of industry collaboration and adaptability to ensure sustained growth and supply stability.
High-performance compute is the bedrock of generative AI, and if there’s anyone who knows about high-performance chips, it’s AMD CEO Lisa Su. In this wide-ranging conversation with a16z Operating Partner Bob Swan—himself formerly CEO of Intel—Lisa lays out her vision for the evolution of compute within the AI ecosystem, touching not only on raw power and the continuation of Moore’s Law, but also how AMD will support “the right compute for each form factor” for a wider ranges of real-world gen AI use cases. Lisa also shares her perspective on the state of chip manufacturing, how AMD matches their R&D cycles to fast-moving industries, and how partnerships build strong ecosystems.
[00:01:37] Lisa's career in compute [00:04:48] Compute in the genAI era [00:09:39] High performance or multimodal? [00:10:47] Making the genAI ecosystem open [00:14:16] The chip supply chain [00:17:53] Resiliency and the CHIPS Act [00:20:54] How AMD balances long development cycles with short term innovation [00:24:48] Learnings from the hyperscaler market [00:26:54] What being fabless means for AMD [00:31:24] Lisa's advice for startup founders
Find more content from our AI Revolution series on www.a16z.com/AIRevolution.
Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
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