Oracle, Microsoft and OpenAI are joining forces to extend the Microsoft Azure AI platform to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) in a bid to meet the growing demand for AI. Although not confirmed, this collaboration is likely driven, at least in part, by the integration of Apple Intelligence in iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia.
At its WWDC, the Cupertino-based tech giant went all-in on AI and detailed how Apple Intelligence will use both on-device processing and Private Cloud Computing (PCC) to manage complex data and larger base models. It will also provide access to ChatGPT when needed (and with user consent), generating a new wave of traffic for OpenAI to handle.
“We are delighted to be working with Microsoft and Oracle. OCI will extend the Azure platform and allow OpenAI to continue scaling,” said Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI.
The apple effect
ChatGPT currently provides generative AI services to over 100 million users every month. This is a number that will likely increase exponentially once Apple Intelligence becomes widely available later in the year.
OCI's purpose-built AI capabilities enable startups and enterprises to build and train models on Oracle's distributed cloud. Oracle says that for LLM training, OCI Supercluster can scale up to 64k Nvidia Blackwell GPUs or GB200 Grace Blackwell Superchips. These are connected using an ultra-low latency RDMA cluster network and an HPC storage option, delivering a powerful and efficient AI infrastructure.
OCI Compute virtual machines and OCI bare metal Nvidia GPU instances can power applications for generative AI, computer vision, natural language processing, recommendation systems, and more.
“The race to build the world's largest language model is on and is driving unlimited demand for Oracle's Gen2 AI infrastructure,” said Larry Ellison, president and chief technology officer, Oracle. “Leaders like OpenAI are choosing OCI because it is the fastest, most cost-effective AI infrastructure in the world.”
While Apple Intelligence will certainly drive demand for AI, it won't be the only reason OpenAI drives this partnership. The new incoming Copilot+ PC series will likely be a factor as well.
