Meta Platforms Inc. is reportedly in talks to acquire FuriosaAI, a promising South Korean chip startup. The announcement of the deal could come as early as this month, according to sources cited by Forbes. Founded by former Samsung and AMD employees, FuriosaAI specializes in developing chips that enhance the processing and serving of artificial intelligence models, including Meta’s own Llama 2 and Llama 3 text-generating models.
The acquisition of FuriosaAI would mark a strategic move for Meta as it seeks to diminish its dependence on Nvidia, the leading player in the chipmaking industry. By bringing FuriosaAI into its fold, Meta aims to strengthen its AI hardware infrastructure. This step aligns with Meta's broader vision of bolstering its capabilities in developing in-house AI accelerator chips, which are integral to its expansive AI goals.
FuriosaAI has successfully raised 90 billion Korean won (approximately $61.94 million) from investors, including the South Korean tech giant, Naver. The startup's innovative chips are designed to accelerate AI models, making them an attractive asset for Meta, which is projected to invest up to $65 billion this year in pursuit of its AI ambitions. With this potential acquisition, Meta is poised to complement its existing efforts to build efficient AI hardware solutions internally.
Meta has been actively engaging with potential partners across the globe, including in the U.S., Japan, and India. The company has yet to disclose specific details about these collaborations. However, the acquisition of FuriosaAI would be a significant step in reinforcing Meta's presence in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
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