Tesla builds Dojo supercomputer in New York

Tesla is preparing to build the next-generation Dojo supercomputer at its Gigafactory in Buffalo, New York, as part of a $500 million investment by Tesla announced by the governor of New York. The Dojo supercomputer is designed to process massive amounts of data from Tesla vehicles and train the company's artificial intelligence (AI) systems for autonomous driving and other applications. It is expected to be one of the most powerful supercomputers in the world, possibly surpassing the current leader, NVIDIA.

The Dojo supercomputer is designed to process massive amounts of data from Tesla vehicles and train artificial intelligence (AI) systems. (Photo: Baranozdemir/Getty Images)

Tesla's Dojo supercomputer will use AI ASIC chips, which are said to be more efficient and powerful than NVIDIA's A100 GPU chips. Tesla has used NVIDIA chips for its existing supercomputers, which are said to have more than 10,000 of them. However, NVIDIA chips are facing a global shortage, which may have prompted Tesla to develop its own alternative.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul revealed the news during a hearing on the state’s economic development. Kathy Hochul said that Tesla’s new project will create hundreds of jobs and boost the region’s technology innovation ecosystem. She also said that New York State will support an AI supercomputer project at the State University of New York (SUNY) with separate funding of about $275 million, and more than $400 million in private investment support.

“I’m proud to announce that Tesla is investing $500 million to build their next supercomputer right here in Buffalo ,” Hochul said. Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed the plan, but made it clear that the Dojo supercomputer is expected to cost much more. He also said the “stakes” to compete in AI are “at least a few billion dollars a year.”

Tesla's Gigafactory in New York currently produces solar panels, solar roofs, and Supercharger components, and has a team of Autopilot data analysts working there.

Hochul did not provide a timeline for the Dojo supercomputer’s installation or construction. But she said it would be a game-changer for the state’s AI industry, which is expected to grow from $150 billion to $1.3 trillion in the next few years. The announcement comes after Tesla’s Dojo project leader, Ganesh Venkataramanan, left the company last month.

HUYNH DUNG (Source: Interestingengineering)

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