On October 16, 2024, chip giants Intel and AMD announced a major collaboration—the establishment of the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group, gathering top industry leaders to plan big moves together, redefining the future of the world’s most widely used computing architecture.
Intel stated that the x86 architecture possesses unique appeal, offering high performance and seamless interoperability between hardware and software platforms, easily meeting customers’ diverse needs. The purpose of this advisory group is to figure out how to make the x86 ecosystem stronger, more compatible, and simpler to develop, giving developers a platform to share ideas freely to create innovative, scalable solutions.
Intel also emphasized that for over 40 years, x86 has been the cornerstone of modern computing, dominating data centers and PCs worldwide. In an era where AI workloads are growing, chip design is becoming more customized, and advances in 3D packaging and system architecture are rapid, the importance of the x86 ecosystem is unprecedented. Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said, “We are on the brink of the largest wave of change for the x86 architecture and ecosystem in decades, requiring higher levels of customization, compatibility, and scalability to meet current and future customer demands. We’re thrilled to ignite the future of computing with AMD and the founding members of the advisory group, and we’re deeply grateful for the support of industry leaders.”
AMD CEO Lisa Su also expressed great enthusiasm for the collaboration. She said, “The establishment of the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group will ensure that the x86 architecture continues to evolve as the platform of choice for developers and customers. We’re excited to bring the entire industry together to guide the direction of future architectures and carry forward x86’s legacy for decades to come.”
Intel further explained that the advisory group’s aim is to bring industry leaders together to shape the future of x86 by creating more unified instruction and architecture interfaces to make developers’ work easier. This initiative will improve x86 products’ compatibility, predictability, and consistency. To achieve these goals, the group will also seek technical input from the x86 hardware and software communities regarding core features and capabilities, working together to ensure consistent implementation of critical architecture functions and programming models across data centers, cloud computing, clients, edge computing, and embedded devices to deliver tangible benefits for customers.
The advisory group’s target outcomes are threefold: first, to enhance customers’ choice and compatibility in hardware and software, allowing them to benefit from new features more quickly; second, to streamline architectural guidelines, improving interface consistency across Intel and AMD x86 products; and third, to promote the more efficient integration of new features into operating systems, development frameworks, and applications.
While Intel and AMD have long been rivals, they’ve also collaborated in industry standards development over the years. They’ve driven significant progress in the x86 ecosystem, co-developing crucial standards like PCI, PCIe, Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI), and USB, all essential to modern computing. The formation of the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group marks an upgrade in the cooperation between these two giants, aiming to bring more innovation to the entire computing ecosystem and serve as a catalyst for product enhancements.
This collaboration is quite exciting. Though Intel and AMD’s competitive “drama” has been entertaining, their cooperation is equally promising. As the two giants join forces, the entire industry stands to benefit—especially as unified progress within the x86 ecosystem is great news for all stakeholders facing increasingly complex AI and high-performance computing demands.
Disclaimer:
- This channel does not make any representations or warranties regarding the availability, accuracy, timeliness, effectiveness, or completeness of any information posted. It hereby disclaims any liability or consequences arising from the use of the information.
- This channel is non-commercial and non-profit. The re-posted content does not signify endorsement of its views or responsibility for its authenticity. It does not intend to constitute any other guidance. This channel is not liable for any inaccuracies or errors in the re-posted or published information, directly or indirectly.
- Some data, materials, text, images, etc., used in this channel are sourced from the internet, and all reposts are duly credited to their sources. If you discover any work that infringes on your intellectual property rights or personal legal interests, please contact us, and we will promptly modify or remove it.
