Monday, July 24, 2023

Cerebras builds Condor Galaxy AI supercomputer cluster

Cerebras Systems and G42, the UAE-based technology holding group, are building a network of nine interconnected supercomputers, offering a new approach to AI compute that promises to significantly reduce AI model training time. 

The first AI supercomputer on this network, Condor Galaxy 1 (CG-1), isocated in Santa Clara, California. CG-1 links 64 Cerebras CS-2 systems together into a single, system. It supports up to 600 billion parameter models and extendable configurations that support up to 100 trillion parameter models. With 54 million AI-optimized compute cores, 388 terabits per second of fabric bandwidth, and fed by 72,704 AMD EPYC processor cores, unlike any known GPU cluster, CG-1 delivers near-linear performance scaling from 1 to 64 CS-2 systems using simple data parallelism.

Cerebras and G42 offer CG-1 as a cloud service, allowing customers to enjoy the performance of an AI supercomputer without having to manage or distribute models over physical systems.

Cerebras and G42 are planning to deploy two more such supercomputers, CG-2 and CG-3, in the U.S. in early 2024. With a planned capacity of 36 exaFLOPs in total, this unprecedented supercomputing network will revolutionize the advancement of AI globally.

“Collaborating with Cerebras to rapidly deliver the world’s fastest AI training supercomputer and laying the foundation for interconnecting a constellation of these supercomputers across the world has been enormously exciting. This partnership brings together Cerebras’ extraordinary compute capabilities, together with G42’s multi-industry AI expertise. G42 and Cerebras’ shared vision is that Condor Galaxy will be used to address society’s most pressing challenges across healthcare, energy, climate action and more,” said Talal Alkaissi, CEO of G42 Cloud, a subsidiary of G42.

“Delivering 4 exaFLOPs of AI compute at FP 16, CG-1 dramatically reduces AI training timelines while eliminating the pain of distributed compute,” said Andrew Feldman, CEO of Cerebras Systems. “Many cloud companies have announced massive GPU clusters that cost billions of dollars to build, but that are extremely difficult to use. Distributing a single model over thousands of tiny GPUs takes months of time from dozens of people with rare expertise. CG-1 eliminates this challenge. Setting up a generative AI model takes minutes, not months and can be done by a single person. CG-1 is the first of three 4 exaFLOP AI supercomputers to be deployed across the U.S. Over the next year, together with G42, we plan to expand this deployment and stand up a staggering 36 exaFLOPs of efficient, purpose-built AI compute.”

https://www.cerebras.net/press-release/cerebras-and-g42-unveil-worlds-largest-supercomputer-for-ai-training-with-4-exaflops-to-fuel-a-new-era-of-innovation

Worldcoin Foundation launches its digital ID and currency for AI era

The Worldcoin Foundation, a project co-founded by Sam Altman, Alex Blania and Max Novendstern, unveiled plans for a global digital ID, digital currency and financial network for the Age of AI.

The Worldcoin protocol calls for a decentralized identity and financial network that aims “to unlock and equitably distribute the potentially massive economic implications of AI.”

The Worldcoin Foundation plans to roll-out retina scanners called “orbs” in 35 major cities worldwide to enable World IDs providing access to its Worldcoin tokens.

The Worldcoin project recent completed the protocol’s migration to the OP Mainnet. In tandem, the Foundation’s subsidiary, World Assets Ltd., minted and released the Worldcoin token (WLD) to people who participated in the beta. WLD is now transactable on the blockchain.

Tools for Humanity (TFH), a technology company building on the Worldcoin network, also today introduced a new release of World App, the first protocol-compatible wallet.

“In the age of AI, the need for proof of personhood is no longer a topic of serious debate; instead, the critical question is whether or not the proof of personhood solutions we have can be privacy-first, decentralized and maximally inclusive,” said Worldcoin project co-founder and TFH CEO, Alex Blania, speaking from Berlin, Germany. “Through its unique technology, Worldcoin aims to provide anyone in the world, regardless of background, geography or income, access to the growing digital and global economy in a privacy preserving and decentralized way. These protocol-level aims align closely with ours for World App.”




EUTELSAT 10B satellite enters service

Eutelsat Communications confirmed the entry into service of the multi-mission high-capacity EUTELSAT 10B satellite at the 10°East orbital position.

EUTELSAT 10B is carrying two multi-beam High-Throughput Satellite (HTS) Ku-band payloads: a payload covering the North Atlantic corridor, Europe, the Mediterranean basin, and the Middle East, offering significant throughput in the busiest air and sea traffic zones, and a second payload to extend coverage across the Atlantic Ocean, Africa, and the Indian Ocean.

EUTELSAT 10B is also carrying two widebeam payloads in C-band and in Ku-band to ensure continuity of the video services on the EUTELSAT 10A satellite, whose operational life is scheduled to end later this year. The 10° East location that EUTELSAT 10B occupies has been operated by Eutelsat since 1987.

Built by Thales Alenia Space, EUTELSAT 10B is an all-electric satellite based on the Spacebus NEO platform. It carries a 5th generation digital transparent processor, offering capacity allocation flexibility and an optimal spectrum use. The satellite’s HTS payloads will be able to process more than 50 GHz of bandwidth, offering a throughput of approximately 35 Gbps.

Cyril Dujardin, General Manager for the Connectivity Business Unit, said: "EUTELSAT 10B satellite will boost our global connectivity services with High Throughput capacity, to meet increasing in-flight and maritime demand. EUTELSAT 10B’s Ku-band payload complements the Ka-band of the EUTELSAT KONNECT VHTS satellite, that will enter into service progressively in Autumn, reflecting our ability to serve our customers in both Ka- and Ku-bands with the best-in-class space assets. Moreover, this satellite brings innovative new resources that will be able to complement Eutelsat’s GEO-LEO offering.”

www.eutelsat.com

F5 posts revenue of $703 million, up 4%

F5 reported revenue of $703 million for its third fiscal quarter, up 4% from $674 million in fiscal year 2022. Global services revenue grew 8% from the year-ago period while product revenue grew 1%, reflecting 5% systems revenue growth and software revenue that was down 3% from the year-ago period.

GAAP net income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 was $89 million, or $1.48 per diluted share compared to $83 million, or $1.37 per diluted share, in the third quarter of fiscal year 2022. Non-GAAP net income for the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 was $194 million, or $3.21 per diluted share, compared to $155 million, or $2.57 per diluted share, in fiscal year 2022.

“In an environment that remains challenged by macroeconomic uncertainty, our team is executing well, delivering third-quarter revenue at the midpoint of our guidance range and earnings per share well above the high end of our guidance range,” said François Locoh-Donou, F5’s President and CEO. “We are seeing some early signs of demand stabilization as customers look to F5 to help them secure and optimize the applications and APIs that power their businesses.”



https://investors.f5.com/

MEF appoints 2023-2024 Board of Directors

MEF announced the results of the 2023-2024 Board of Directors elections held at its Annual Members Meeting last week in Montreal,

MEF 2023-2024 Board of Directors

  • Debika Bhattacharya, Chief Product Officer, Verizon Business
  • Nan Chen, Head of The One Network, Ericsson
  • Frederick Chui, Chief Commercial Officer, PCCW Global
  • Andrew Dugan, Chief Technology Officer, Lumen
  • Shawn Hakl, Vice President, 5G Strategy, Microsoft
  • Aamir Hussain​, Chief Technology and Product Officer, Liberty Latin America​
  • Daniele Mancuso, Senior Vice President Chief Product Management, Sparkle
  • Franck Morales, Vice President, Evolution Platform, Orange Business Services
  • Mike Troiano, Senior Vice President, Business Products, AT&T Business
  • Bob Victor, Senior Vice President, Customer Solutions, Comcast Business
  • Mirko Voltolini, Vice President, Innovation, Colt Technology Services

MEF Officers

  • Nan Chen, President and CEO
  • Andrew Dugan, Chairman
  • Bob Victor, Treasurer
  • Pascal Menezes, Chief Technology Officer, MEF
  • Kevin Vachon, Chief Operating Officer, MEF
  • Daniel Bar-Lev, Vice President, Strategic Programs, MEF

“We are fortunate to have assembled a world-class team of distinguished leaders on MEF’s Board of Directors,” said Nan Chen, President and CEO, MEF. “For more than 20 years, MEF has tackled shared business challenges through industry collaboration. Our new Board brings deep industry expertise, insights, and fresh perspectives that will propel innovation and strengthen MEF’s ability to drive network transformation and power the digital economy.”

https://www.mef.net

Ekinops secures €100 million credit line

EKINOPS signed a new credit line with its banking partners for a total €100 million. The company said the funding will support its development and  in particular its external growth strategy.

This new financing was secured by the banking pool comprising Caisse Régionale de Crédit Agricole Mutuel des Cotes d'Armor (Agent, Arranger, Credit Coordinator), Banque Populaire Grand Ouest (Arranger and ESG Coordinator), BNP Paribas and KBC Bank.

Dmitri Pigoulevski, Ekinops’ Chief Financial Officer commented: "This new line of financing confirms Ekinops' determination to achieve one or more acquisitions, using non-dilutive financing methods. It will provide the Group with the necessary resources to effectively seize growth opportunities. We would like to thank our banking partners for their support and their trust in our strategy."

https://www.ekinops.com/news/corporate/ekinops-signs-up-for-a-100-million-credit-line-to-support-its-external-growth-strategy