From Ambitious Start to Tough Reality: Esperanto Shuts Down Chip Business

Esperanto Technologies is ending its work on designing AI chips and is now looking to sell or license its technology. The company began with big goals: making energy-efficient processors that could handle demanding AI tasks. Their main chip design used over 1,000 RISC-V cores and could run large language models like Meta’s OPT-13B while using only about 25 watts of power.

At first, Esperanto focused on powering recommendation systems in data centers but later shifted to high-performance computing and generative AI as interest in those areas grew. Even with strong technology, the company faced challenges competing with much larger firms that could offer higher salaries and more job security. As a result, many engineers left.

Esperanto closed its offices in Spain and Serbia and reduced staff at its California headquarters by 90%, keeping only a small team to handle the sale or licensing process.

Source:
EE times

C.S.