AMD is preparing to introduce new artificial intelligence hardware at an event in San Francisco. The launch will focus on data centers, AI inference, and large computing systems.
The company plans to present its Helios server racks, Instinct MI450 chips, and Venice processors. AMD aims to gain ground against NVIDIA in the fast-growing AI infrastructure market.
AMD Helios Takes Aim at NVIDIA Systems
AMD is expected to formally present Helios, its first full server rack for artificial intelligence workloads. The system combines processors, graphics chips, networking tools, and software.
Helios will use AMD Instinct MI455X graphics processors from the MI450 series. It will also include EPYC Venice processors and Pensando networking technology.
The rack-scale design targets both AI training and inference. Inference covers the computing work that occurs when users send requests to AI services.
AMD will market Helios against NVIDIA's integrated server systems. NVIDIA is preparing its second-generation platform using Rubin graphics chips and Vera processors.
NVIDIA recently released more technical details about Vera. The company says the processor will improve work completed by AI agents while controlling power use.
Meanwhile, AMD displayed Helios at the Moscone West convention center. Cloud providers Vultr and TensorWave also presented systems using AMD hardware.
Anthropic Signs Large MI450 Deployment Deal
AMD has announced a long-term agreement with Anthropic, the developer of the Claude AI model. Anthropic plans to deploy up to two gigawatts of AMD chips.
The first gigawatt is scheduled to begin operating during the first half of 2027. The deployment will use Helios systems with MI455X processors.
Anthropic already uses AMD Instinct MI355X chips. The new deal expands that relationship into a much larger infrastructure commitment.
The companies will also work together on software development. Anthropic will use Claude to improve workloads running on AMD graphics processors.
Claude will also support development of ROCm, AMD's software platform for AI computing. AMD plans to use Claude across its engineering and product teams.
AMD has also committed to make an equity investment of up to $5 billion in Anthropic. The companies have not disclosed the timing or final structure.
"Access to compute is central to keeping Claude at the frontier," Anthropic executive Tom Brown said. He added that using several hardware platforms provides greater flexibility.
AMD Expands its Position in AI Chips
AMD is trying to secure more customers as demand for AI computing continues to grow. NVIDIA still controls a large share of the data center accelerator market.
However, AI developers are seeking more chip suppliers. Greater supplier choice can reduce dependence on one company and improve access to computing capacity.
AMD previously announced a multiyear agreement with OpenAI. That deal could generate tens of billions of dollars in yearly revenue for the chipmaker.
OpenAI also received an option to acquire a stake of roughly 10% in AMD. The agreement links chip purchases with a possible ownership position.
The Anthropic partnership follows a similar strategy. AMD will provide hardware while gaining closer access to a major AI model developer.
AMD Chief Executive Lisa Su said the agreement combines Anthropic's AI work with AMD's computing platform. She said both companies plan to expand Helios deployments.
The new infrastructure will compete across processors, accelerators, networking, and software. AMD must also expand ROCm support to attract more developers.
Thursday's launch will provide more details about Helios and the Venice processor. It will also show how AMD plans to compete with NVIDIA at full system scale.