SANTA CLARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Intel Corporation today announced that it has acquired Habana Labs, an Israel-based developer of programmable deep learning accelerators for the data center for approximately $2 billion. The combination strengthens Intelโs artificial intelligence (AI) portfolio and accelerates its efforts in the nascent, fast-growing AI silicon market, which Intel expects to be greater than $25 billion by 20241.
โThis acquisition advances our AI strategy, which is to provide customers with solutions to fit every performance need โ from the intelligent edge to the data center,โ said Navin Shenoy, executive vice president and general manager of the Data Platforms Group at Intel. โMore 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.โ
Intelโs AI strategy is grounded in the belief that harnessing the power of AI to improve business outcomes requires a broad mix of technology โ hardware and software โ and full ecosystem support. Today, Intel AI solutions are helping customers turn data into business value and driving meaningful revenue for the company. In 2019, Intel expects to generate over $3.5 billion in AI-driven revenue, up more than 20 percent year-over-year. Together, Intel and Habana can accelerate the delivery of best-in-class AI products for the data center, addressing customersโ evolving needs.
Shenoy continued: โWe 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. Thatโs why weโre thrilled to have an AI team of Habanaโs 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.โ
Habana will remain an independent business unit and will continue to be led by its current management team. Habana will report to Intelโs Data Platforms Group, home to Intelโs broad portfolio of data center class AI technologies. This combination gives Habana access to Intel AI capabilities, including significant resources built over the last three years with deep expertise in AI software, algorithms and research that will help Habana scale and accelerate.
Habana chairman Avigdor Willenz has agreed to serve as a senior adviser to the business unit as well as to Intel. Habana will continue to be based in Israel where Intel also has a significant presence and long history of investment. Prior to this transaction, Intel Capital was an investor in Habana.
โWe have been fortunate to get to know and collaborate with Intel given its investment in Habana, and weโre thrilled to be officially joining the team,โ said David Dahan, CEO of Habana. โIntel 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.โ
Going forward, Intel plans to take full advantage of its growing portfolio of AI technology and talent to deliver customers unmatched computing performance and efficiency for AI workloads.
