New High-Speed Technology Paves Way for Apple Intelligence Upgrades

Apple has backed a technology that could contribute to future Apple Intelligence advancements.

Apple Intelligence iPhone 16
The consortium behind the "Ultra Accelerator Link" or "UALink" technology today announced that Apple, Alibaba, and Synopsys have joined its Board of Directors. The three companies will contribute to further development of the technology.

UALink is described as a "high-speed, scale-up interconnect for next-generation AI cluster performance." The consortium is aiming to release UALink 1.0 in the first quarter of 2025, and it will enable data speeds of "up to 200Gbps per lane."

The technology could pave the way for faster and more efficient Apple Intelligence servers.

"UALink shows great promise in addressing connectivity challenges and creating new opportunities for expanding AI capabilities and demands," said Becky Loop, Director of Platform Architecture at Apple. Loop added that "Apple has a long history of pioneering and collaborating on innovations that drive our industry forward."

It is not clear if or when Apple will adopt the technology, or if it is merely interested in helping out the overall AI industry.

Apple Intelligence servers are currently powered by the M2 Ultra chip, and they are expected to start using M4 series chips this year. In an eventual move away from Mac chips for server use, The Information recently reported that Apple has been developing a new AI server chip that will offer even faster performance for AI workloads.

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Top Rated Comments

turbineseaplane Avatar
11 weeks ago
No thank you

Good lord I can't believe how many resources are being wasted on this BS
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bustycat Avatar
11 weeks ago
I can't wait longer for the most advanced Genmojis ever.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jayryco Avatar
11 weeks ago

Good lord I can't believe how many resources are being wasted on this BS
Apple does nothing, people complain. Apples puts more into R&D, people complain.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProbablyDylan Avatar
11 weeks ago
People are going to whine about effort being "wasted" on AI - an interlink like this is useful for more than just AI workloads. It's like how PCIe is useful for more than just video cards.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
StuBeck Avatar
11 weeks ago
I don't think bandwidth is what is causing the issues with Apple's AI service personally.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
doobydoooby Avatar
11 weeks ago
Siri has gone backwards since Apple unintelligence. A remarkable feat.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)