IBM and Nvidia join forces with AI deep learning software

IBM and Nvidia have announced a deep learning partnership dubbed PowerAI.

The software, which is designed to run on IBM's Linux-based S822LC HPC (high performance computing) server, can handle GPU-based workloads in both AI and deep learning areas by combining custom versions of three existing popular frameworks.

Torch, Theano and Caffe - as Linux-based software - are all optimised to run on the S822LC.

"PowerAI democratises deep learning and other advanced analytic technologies by giving enterprise data scientists and research scientists alike an easy-to-deploy platform to rapidly advance their journey on AI," said general manager of IBM OpenPower, Ken King.

"Coupled with our high performance computing servers built for AI, IBM provides what we believe is the best platform for enterprises building AI-based software, whether it's chatbots for customer engagement, or real-time analysis of social media data."

In the solution's release notes, IBM also states that the technology "can be used for a broad set of purposes".

"For example, new driver assist technologies rely on machine and deep learning patterns to recognize objects in a rapidly changing environment, personal digital assistant technology is learning to categorize information contained in emails and text messages based on context, and in the enterprise, machine and deep learning applications can be used to identify high-value sales opportunities, provide assistance in call centers, detect instances of intrusion or fraud and suggest solutions to technical or business problems," said the statement.

PowerAI comes free of charge to organisations that have already adopted S822LC hardware, which IBM already boasts can work up to twice as fast as rival servers. With the addition of PowerAI, IBM reckons S822LC will run even faster again.

"Our innovation with IBM on Nvidia NVLink [NVidia's communications protocol between CPU and GPU] has created new opportunities for Power in the deep learning and analytics market," said Nvidia vice president of accelerated computing Ian Buck.

"Nvidia's GPUDL libraries in PowerAI will provide world class high-performance tools to power GPU-accelerated deep learning applications."