Apple Unveils AI Model Framework for Silicon Chips

By siliconindia  |  Thursday, 07 December 2023, 05:04:11 PM IST

Apple Unveils AI Model Framework for Silicon Chips
As artificial intelligence (AI) gains prominence in various industries, Apple's machine learning research team has introduced frameworks and model libraries specifically tailored to operate on its silicon chips. One such release is MLX, a machine-learning framework crafted to deliver efficient and versatile machine-learning capabilities on Apple's proprietary silicon.
“The design of MLX is inspired by frameworks like PyTorch, Jax, and ArrayFire. A notable difference between these frameworks and MLX is the unified memory model”, according to Apple on GitHub. “Arrays in MLX live in shared memory. Operations on MLX arrays can be performed on any of the supported device types without performing data copies. Currently supported device types are the CPU and GPU", the Apple ML research team added.
Awni Hannun of Apple’s ML team posted on X that just in time for the holidays, “we are releasing some new software from Apple machine learning research”. “MLX is an efficient machine learning framework specifically designed for Apple silicon (i.e. your laptop!)", Hannun said.
MLX is a NumPy-like array framework designed for efficient and flexible machine learning on Apple silicon. “The Python API closely follows NumPy with a few exceptions. MLX also has a fully featured C++ API which closely follows the Python API", according to the Apple ML team. Last month, Apple CEO Tim Cook revealed that the company is investing quite a bit in AI and will do it responsibly for product enhancements over time.
Cook emphasized that Apple considers AI and machine learning as foundational technologies, essential to nearly every product they release. He highlighted examples such as the introduction of features like Personal Voice and Live Voicemail in iOS 17, attributing their functionality to the central role of AI. Furthermore, Cook pointed out that life-saving features like fall detection, crash detection, and ECG on the Apple Watch, which were showcased during the phone's launch, would not be achievable without the integration of AI technology. This insight was shared with analysts during the company's earnings call.
Cook mentioned that Apple has been actively engaged in AI-related initiatives for an extended period. While he refrained from providing specific details, citing the company's customary approach, he assured that Apple is making substantial investments in AI endeavors. He emphasized their commitment to responsible development, stating that product advancements resulting from these investments will be evident over time. Earlier in August, Cook acknowledged that the tech giant has been dedicatedly working on generative AI and various other models for many years.
Source: IANS

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