Jaguar Shores is Intel’s secret plan to dominate AI market

According to HPCWire Intel has announced “Jaguar Shores” as its forthcoming next-generation AI chip designed for AI inference, revealed during the SC2024 conference.

Jaguar Shores will follow the Falcon Shores, which has been delayed until late 2025, and is expected to integrate both Gaudi ASICs and Xe-HPC GPUs. Although the company has not confirmed whether Jaguar Shores will merge CPU and GPU functionalities into a single platform, there are indications that it may focus primarily on GPU capabilities. Intel’s previously planned Falcon Shores was originally anticipated to be hybrid, but it will now be a dedicated GPU for AI inference.

Jaguar Shores is speculated to utilize Intel’s in-house 18A manufacturing process, leveraging advanced technologies such as RibbonFET and backside power delivery. These innovations aim to enhance the efficiency and performance of the chip, which is designed to compete in the burgeoning market for AI inferencing, particularly against established players like NVIDIA and AMD.

Intel’s roadmap indicates that the company is shifting its focus to the inference sector, recognizing that both AMD and NVIDIA have a solid hold on the AI training and inference markets through 2027. Jaguar Shores is positioned as a strategic attempt to regain market share. The company is streamlining its GPU lineup following the rebound from delays affecting previous models like the cancelled Rialto Bridge GPU.

Despite struggling recently, Intel remains committed to its enterprise plans, with Jaguar Shores expected to play a key role in addressing mission-critical AI workloads. Intel has also rebuffed speculation regarding whether the upcoming chip will replicate the disaggregated designs seen in competitors.

While Intel recognizes its past challenges, it is actively refining its strategies in response to market demands. The failure to meet previous release timelines has raised questions regarding the company’s AI roadmap, as evidenced by the postponement of Gaudi 3 to 2025. As Intel’s leadership contends with ongoing transitions, the future for Jaguar Shores and its exact specifications remains imprecise, with confirmation pending on several design aspects.

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Intel stated, “Our roadmap for Falcon Shores remains,” highlighting the strategic emphasis on optimizing its AI offerings. With Jaguar Shores set for future launch, how the chip will stack up against existing competitors is still an open question.

In comparison to its predecessors, Jaguar Shores is insignificant as Intel looks to enhance its capabilities to support AI demands in data centers. Currently, Intel’s Gaudi 3 is anticipated to focus heavily on direct competition with NVIDIA’s last-gen Hopper-based H100. However, doubts linger around whether Jaguar Shores can make headway against well-established rivals in the field.

While Intel has publicly endorsed the need for enterprise-focused AI solutions, the firm’s historical delays prompt scrutiny regarding its competitiveness. Recent strategic decisions, including the separation of CPU and GPU for Falcon Shores, show a markedly cautious approach as the company aligns its resources in the evolving tech landscape.

Intel’s spokesperson emphasized, “We continuously evaluate our roadmap,” reflecting a commitment to adapt to customers’ needs amid changing market dynamics.

Featured image credit: Intel