AMD and Intel Join Forces to Take on Qualcomm.
Despite remaining competitors, AMD and Intel are joining forces in the x86 architecture to confront the threat that Arm poses to their businesses.
AMD and Intel have surprised the world by joining forces in a new initiative, creating an advisory group for the x86 ecosystem. This collective aims to bring together technology leaders to shape the future of the most widely used computing architecture on the planet. The x86 architecture, which has been fundamental for nearly 50 years, governs how a CPU reads and executes instructions. Although both are fierce competitors in the processor market, they are currently the two main players in x86 chip production.
Alongside AMD and Intel, other major technology companies have also joined this collaboration, including Microsoft, Google, HP, Dell, Broadcom, Lenovo, and Oracle. Notably, Qualcomm is not included, which could be a reason behind the formation of this group. The company, known for its Arm-based chips, is clearly positioning itself as a competitor in the PC space, especially following the launch of the Copilot+ laptops and the Snapdragon X Elite CPU. According to some projections, Arm CPUs could account for 40% of laptop sales by 2029, while next year, they could reach 20%.
This unexpected alliance between AMD and Intel seems to be a strategy to counteract the impact of Arm processors in the desktop and laptop markets. According to AMD, the group's goal is to enhance compatibility, predictability, and consistency among x86 products. While both companies will maintain their rivalry, they will work together to drive new features and innovations in x86 PCs, while also ensuring broader compatibility beyond the traditional Windows ecosystem.
As Qualcomm seeks to expand its influence in the PC space, Arm architecture has also established itself in other areas of computing. Apple, for instance, has adopted M-series chips that use Arm, and Nvidia's Grace CPU in data centers is also based on this architecture. While it is still unclear what innovations the x86 advisory group will bring, its formation demonstrates a determined attempt to combat the threat posed by Arm.