Graphcore AI 10: graphcore for beginners?
This vid reviews Graphcore AI.
i. Graphcore offers powerful AI hardware and software solutions, but understanding them as a beginner can be daunting. Here's a breakdown to get you started:
**What is Graphcore?**
Graphcore is a British company specializing in **Intelligent Processing Units (IPUs)**, specially designed hardware for large-scale machine learning tasks like training deep learning models. Compared to traditional CPUs and GPUs, IPUs handle specific aspects of AI workloads more efficiently, potentially offering faster training times and better performance.
**Why is Graphcore relevant for beginners?**
While their core products are high-end hardware, Graphcore offers resources and initiatives aimed at attracting new users, especially developers and researchers interested in AI:
* **Poplar SDK:** Free open-source software framework for writing AI applications that run on IPUs. It uses familiar Python syntax with extensions for utilizing IPU capabilities.
* **PopTorch:** Open-source deep learning library based on PyTorch, adapted for IPUs through the Poplar SDK. Familiar with PyTorch? PopTorch makes using Graphcore's technology easier.
* **Graphcore University:** Free online courses and tutorials covering various aspects of using IPUs and popular AI tools on Graphcore hardware.
* **Community & Forums:** Join the Graphcore community for discussions, tutorials, and support from experienced users and developers.
**Getting started with Graphcore as a beginner:**
* **Explore the resources mentioned above:** Start with Graphcore University courses and tutorials to understand basic concepts and how to use Poplar SDK and PopTorch.
* **Consider cloud options:** You don't need to buy expensive hardware initially. Graphcore partners with cloud providers like Google Cloud and Paperspace to offer access to IPUs through virtual machines.
* **Join the community:** The online forums and community platform are great places to ask questions, learn from others, and get help as you start your journey.
**Things to keep in mind:**
* While the resources are designed for beginners, understanding machine learning and deep learning concepts is helpful before diving into Graphcore specifics.
* While IPUs offer potential benefits, they might not be the best choice for every AI project. Understand your specific needs and compare options before making a decision.
* Start small and experiment with available resources before investing heavily in hardware or cloud setups.
Remember, the learning curve exists, but don't be discouraged! Be patient, explore the resources, and start with smaller projects to gain experience with Graphcore technology.
