A Solution to the AI Chip Drought

In an exciting twist in the tech world, Jed McCaleb, co-founder of Ripple, has set his sights on a different kind of revolution. His nonprofit, the Navigation Fund, is addressing the pressing AI chip shortage that’s been causing headaches for developers and researchers alike. By launching a new cloud service on October 29, the fund offers a unique solution: leasable capacity for large machine learning models. This means companies now have flexible options—hourly, monthly, or long-term. It’s like going to a buffet, but rather than food, you’re getting a taste of high-end computing!

Voltage Park: The Heavyweight Champion of GPUs

Under the banner of the Navigation Fund, Voltage Park is making waves. If bare-metal access were a sport, Voltage Park would be the reigning champion. With a fleet of approximately 24,000 NVIDIA H100 graphics processing units (GPUs), this facility is geared for those who need peak performance, like researchers developing the next groundbreaking AI models or startups grappling with complex data challenges. Set to expand its operations by early 2024, this innovative service is set to redefine access to superior computing power.

Where to Find These Compute Clusters

Voltage Park is not just a lone star in the tech universe; it’s planning to set up clusters in strategic locations across Texas, Virginia, and Washington. CEO Eric Park, who joined the organization in July, noted that the combined hardware value sits at a staggering $500 million. That’s a budget that could fund a few superhero movies!

Flexibility in the Market: Contracts and Auctions

In case you’re hoping to snag some GPU time, Voltage Park is currently auctioning off contracts for periods of one to three months, starting with 1,560 GPUs. They’ve stated that “the market for cutting-edge ML compute is broken,” highlighting the scramble for these critical resources. The organization is on a mission to make machine learning infrastructure accessible to all—no more waiting in line for a hot new gadget!

The Bigger Picture: Navigation Fund’s Vision

The Navigation Fund, founded just this year, has ambitious plans for the future. After initially rolling out a small number of grants in 2023, there are plans to expand their programs early next year. With a focus on various initiatives—including what they term ‘safe AI’—the organization aims to pave the way for broader innovations in the tech landscape. McCaleb, whose journey from trading cards to crypto has been nothing short of spectacular, seems determined to leave a mark on yet another frontier of technology.