The GPU-vs-ASIC scenario in the global AI data center market has evolved from a simple competition of computing power and cost-effectiveness to a deeper level of coopetition between data interconnects and ecosystems.
As cloud service providers (CSPs) invest heavily in ASIC development, Arm, Qualcomm, and Nvidia are each employing different strategies to try to find key entry points in this coopetition and enhance their own influence.
Arm is accelerating ASIC development by introducing the Neoverse Compute Subsystems (CSS) and Arm Total Design (ATD) ecosystem, while Qualcomm is strengthening its AI data center capabilities and reducing its reliance on Arm and Nvidia technologies through the acquisition of Alphawave and Ventana Micro Systems. Nvidia, through licensing NVLink Fusion, is attempting to ensure that its competitors' ASICs still run on Nvidia-defined interconnect communication standards.
