Tenstorrent Collaborates with Japan’s LSTC to Develop Advanced 2nm AI Accelerator Chips

Tenstorrent, an innovative AI chip company led by industry veteran Jim Keller, has announced a significant partnership with Japan's Leading-edge Semiconductor Technology Center (LSTC).

This collaboration aims to develop an advanced two-nanometer AI Accelerator, a novel AI hardware solution that promises to enhance AI performance substantially. The partnership combines Tenstorrent's expertise in RISC-V architecture and chiplet technology with LSTC's vision for edge AI solutions. By utilizing RISC-V CPUs and integrating multiple chips into a single package, this initiative is positioned to redefine AI performance standards in Japan.

Additionally, Rapidus Corp., a new Japanese semiconductor firm, will play a crucial role in this venture, focusing on state-of-the-art logic semiconductor technologies and cycle time reduction services. Tenstorrent will collaborate with Rapidus on wafer processing and advanced packaging, aligning their manufacturing processes for optimal efficiency.

Keller's leadership at Tenstorrent, particularly in developing RISC-V CPU technology, positions the company as an ideal partner for LSTC. With a team of engineers from leading tech companies like Arm, AMD, Intel, Tesla, and Apple, Keller's strategic direction has paved the way for pioneering advancements in AI and heterogeneous computing.

David Bennett, Tenstorrent’s Chief Customer Officer, emphasized the company's commitment to flexible architectures that adapt to fast-evolving AI demands. Tenstorrent promotes the use of open standards and the RISC-V architecture to empower customers with customizable AI solutions.

Tetsuro Higashi, chairman of LSTC, endorsed Tenstorrent as a perfect ally for their Post-5G Project, aiming to develop edge AI accelerators for generative AI applications. Atsuyoshi Koike, CEO of Rapidus, also noted their collaboration on design and back-end processes to shorten development timelines.

The establishment of a high-performance compute design center in Japan by Tenstorrent highlights the importance of nurturing local talent in the high-performance computing sector. This endeavor aims to reestablish Japan's leadership in semiconductor design, underpinned by the combined expertise of Tenstorrent, LSTC, and Rapidus.

As Tenstorrent positions itself as a competitor to Nvidia, the company focuses on a unique business model that integrates high-performance compute with AI processing. Their RISC-V compute cores enable innovative functionality that drives AI advancements. Tenstorrent boasts existing partnerships with notable companies, including Hyundai and Samsung, and continues to expand its global reach.

With plans for second-generation technologies, Tenstorrent aims to deliver RISC-V CPUs that match the performance of leading competitors, raising the bar for innovation in the semiconductor industry.