Intel has acquired Habana Labs, an Israel-based developer of programmable deep learning accelerators for the data center for approximately $2 billion. Prior to this transaction, Intel Capital was an investor in Habana.

“This acquisition advances our AI strategy, which is to provide customers with solutions to fit every performance need – from the intelligent edge to the data center,” said Navin Shenoy, executive vice president and general manager of the Data Platforms Group at Intel. “More specifically, Habana turbo-charges our AI offerings for the data center with a high-performance training processor family and a standards-based programming environment to address evolving AI workloads.”

Habana will remain an independent business unit and will continue to be led by its current management team, said Intel in a statement. The company will be part of Intel’s Data Platforms Group, with Habana chairman Avigdor Willenz serving as a senior adviser to the business unit as well as to Intel. Habana will continue to be based in Israel, says Intel.

[Image courtesy: Intel]