Intel Acquires AI Chip Startup Habana Labs For $2 Billion

Intel Corporation has acquired the Habana Labs, for around $2 billion.

The acquisition strengthens the chip marker AI portfolio and accelerates its efforts in the AI silicon market. Intel estimates the total addressable market (TAM) for AI silicon to be greater than $25 billion by 2024. The AI chip market in the data center to be greater than $10 Billion, notes Intel in the announcement.

Moreover, the two companies can accelerate the delivery of AI products for the data center, addressing customer evolving needs.

Executive Opinion

Navin Shenoy, executive vice president and general manager of the Data Platforms Group at Intel, said, "This acquisition advances our AI strategy, which is to provide customers with solutions to fit every performance need – from the intelligent edge to the data center. More specifically, Habana turbo-charges our AI offerings for the data center with a high-performance training processor family and a standards-based programming environment to address evolving AI workloads. We know that customers are looking for ease of programmability with purpose-built AI solutions, as well as superior, scalable performance on a wide variety of workloads and neural network topologies. That’s why we’re thrilled to have an AI team of Habana’s caliber with a proven track record of execution joining Intel. Our combined IP and expertise will deliver unmatched computing performance and efficiency for AI workloads in the data center."

David Dahan, CEO of Habana, said, “We have been fortunate to get to know and collaborate with Intel given its investment in Habana, and we’re thrilled to be officially joining the team. Intel has created a world-class AI team and capability. We are excited to partner with Intel to accelerate and scale our business. Together, we will deliver our customers more AI innovation, faster.”

More about the Intel and Habana acquisitions

Habana will continue to run as an independent business unit. The current management team will continue to lead the business. They will report to the Intel Data Platforms Group, Intel's umbrella unit for data center-class AI technologies.

This acquisition gives the Habana access to Intel's AI capabilities allowing Habana to scale and accelerate. Intel has built significant deep expertise in AI algorithms, software, and research.

Habana chairman Avigdor Willenz has even agreed to serve as a senior advisor to the business unit as well as to Intel. Habana will continue to be based in Israel led by David Dahan, CEO.

Habana AI products include the Gaudi AI Training Processor, which is as of now sampling with select hyperscale customers and the Goya AI Inference Processor, which is commercially available.