An In-Depth Guide to Top 10 AI Chip Companies of 2024

Curious about the future of technology? Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing how we live, and the demand for powerful AI chips is increasing. These chips are “the brains” behind innovations like facial recognition and self-driving cars.

If you’re looking to invest in cutting-edge tech, here are the top 10 AI chip companies to consider for 2024.

Industry-Leading AI Chips Companies

1. NVIDIA (NVDA)

NVIDIA has been a leading provider of graphics processing units (GPUs) for quite some time now. Its GPUs are ideally suited for deep learning—a fundamental function of AI. 

NVIDIA's dominance in this area is evident from its robust offerings, such as the DGX systems specifically designed for AI workloads. These unique offerings make it an excellent choice for investors looking for a well-established player in the AI hardware space, sparking intrigue and interest in its potential. 

NVIDIA's enterprise solutions include the DGX SuperPOD™ with DGX GB200 systems, designed for training and inferencing trillion-parameter generative AI models:

• Each liquid-cooled rack contains 36 NVIDIA GB200 Grace Blackwell Superchips, which include:
  • 36 Grace CPUs
  • 72 Blackwell GPUs
• The Superchips are connected via NVIDIA NVLink.
• Multiple racks connect with NVIDIA Quantum InfiniBand, scaling up to tens of thousands of GB200 Superchips.
• Offers robust performance and scalability for mission-critical AI applications.

2. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD)

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is emerging as a strong contender in the GPU market, giving tough competition to the likes of NVIDIA. The company's high-performance chips are gaining popularity in various AI applications thanks to their increased efficiency and processing power. 

AMD's acquisition of Xilinx in 2022—a leading provider of FPGAs—has not only strengthened its position in the AI space but also opened up new avenues for growth. 

FPGAs are unique chips that can be programmed to perform specific tasks, making them highly versatile and ideal for AI development. 

In addition, AMD plans to introduce upgraded versions of its Instinct MI300-series processors for AI and HPC in the second half of 2024. 

The new Instinct MI350-series products will use TSMC’s advanced 4nm-class fabrication process, potentially increasing performance or lowering power consumption. 

This move positions AMD as a potential challenger to NVIDIA, attracting investors looking for growth in the AI and GPU markets.

3. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC)

TSMC—which stands for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company—is a prominent semiconductor foundry that specializes in manufacturing various types of chips for a wide range of industries. 

While TSMC does not directly design AI chips, it is considered the world's leading semiconductor manufacturer. As a result, its role in producing AI chips for some of the biggest names in the tech industry—including NVIDIA and AMD—makes it a key player in the growing AI ecosystem.

Public Cloud Provider as AI Chip Vendors

4. Alphabet (GOOG)

Google's parent company, Alphabet, has made significant investments in AI research and development. As part of these efforts, they have created Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), which are custom-designed for AI workloads. TPUs offer high performance and efficiency, making them valuable assets for companies working in the field of AI. 

Investing in Alphabet supports a leading AI innovator and offers potential benefits from AI breakthroughs, which could lead to significant returns and exciting future prospects.

5. International Business Machines (IBM)

IBM, a veteran in the technology industry, has been leading AI research for many years. 

With a rich history of innovation and expertise, IBM has developed different AI-powered solutions that cater to the specific needs of various enterprises. This track record of success and commitment makes IBM an attractive option for investors looking for an established player in the AI market. 

IBM offers AI on IBM Power, catering to the specific needs of businesses that require high security and reliability. These systems are designed to provide unmatched performance, speed, and accuracy, making them ideal for data-intensive workloads. 

6. Microsoft (MSFT)

Microsoft Azure cloud platform is a versatile and capable cloud computing service widely used by businesses and developers. 

One of its key strengths is its integration with powerful AI services, which enable developers to build intelligent applications that can analyze and learn from data in real time. 

Additionally, Microsoft has developed chips such as the Azure Maia 100 and Cobalt 100, which provide developers with a powerful and flexible platform for creating custom AI models that can be easily integrated into their applications. 

Suppose you are interested in the intersection of AI and cloud computing. In that case, Microsoft's Azure platform represents a compelling option that offers a wide range of features and capabilities that can be tailored to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes.

7. Amazon (AMZN)

Amazon is the world's most popular cloud service provider and a major player in AI. The company offers various services, including: 

• Image and speech recognition, 
• Natural language processing,
• and Machine learning. 

In addition, Amazon has also developed its own AI chips—such as Trainium and Inferentia—designed for high-performance machine learning inference workloads. They are currently being used internally, but they may be made available for commercial use in the future.

Investors interested in AI companies with a strong presence in the cloud computing industry may find Amazon a good option. However, it is worth noting that Amazon's AI chips are not yet being sold commercially, which could be a factor to consider when evaluating the potential for future growth.

8. Intel (INTC)

Intel—a leading technology company—has not only been at the forefront of chip innovation but has also made significant strides in the field of AI. 

While this is not only its focus, Intel has developed processors such as the Xeon Scalable processors with built-in AI acceleration features. They allow for more efficient and effective processing of AI workloads, making them a popular choice for data centers and other AI-related applications. 

Intel's broad market reach and strong brand recognition make it a key player in the industry. Its stability and market presence reassure investors seeking a more established company that incorporates AI functionalities into their product lines.

9. Apple (AAPL)

Apple is widely recognized for its expertise in creating chips for its devices. The company has an outstanding track record of designing and manufacturing high-performance chips that deliver top-notch performance and power efficiency. 

Apple has demonstrated its commitment by integrating its own Neural Engine Unit (NPU) into IPads. This dedicated hardware accelerator is optimized for machine learning tasks and enables faster processing of complex AI algorithms. 

For investors keen on backing a company that takes a vertically integrated approach to AI development, with control over both hardware and software, Apple presents a unique opportunity. 

10. Qualcomm (QCOM)

Qualcomm—one of the leading mobile processor companies—is making significant strides in developing AI-enabled chips for smartphones and other mobile devices. 

The company is responding to the increasing demand for on-device artificial intelligence functionalities, which have become more prevalent in recent years. Some of their latest AI products including:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus
• Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite

Qualcomm's AI-enabled chips are designed to help mobile devices perform complex tasks such as image and speech recognition, natural language processing, and more. 

Investors who are keen on investing in a company that is leading the charge in bringing AI to mobile devices might find Qualcomm an attractive option. 

Investing in the Future

The market for AI chips is constantly changing and dynamic. Although this list presents the top 10 AI chip companies to consider, it's crucial to conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.  

Consider things like a company's history of innovation, its financial stability, and its specific focus within the AI chip market. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can position yourself to invest in the companies that will shape the future of AI.

We hope you found this article helpful. For more insights and related topics, be sure to explore Golden Owl’s Blog. Happy reading!