Intel and AMD Join Forces to Establish x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group in Response to the Threat from Arm Architecture

Processor manufacturers Intel and AMD recently announced the formation of the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group in collaboration with multiple OEMs and software developers. The primary purpose of this group is to address the threat posed by Arm architecture.

The initial members of the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group include Intel, AMD, Broadcom, Dell, Lenovo, Google Cloud, Microsoft, Oracle, HP, HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprise), Red Hat, and Meta.

Additionally, two influential individual advisors are part of the group: Linus Torvalds and Tim Sweeney, the founder of EPIC Games. These two industry giants serve to draw more companies to participate and to provide guidance to the group.

Moving forward, the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group will focus on technical methods to expand the x86 processor architecture in the modern era. It aims to enhance the compatibility, predictability, and consistency of the x86 architecture. Future x86 architecture features will be the result of industry-wide collaboration, covering client-side, edge computing, embedded systems, cloud computing, and data center domains.

Dr. Lisa Su, Chairman and CEO of AMD:

The establishment of the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group will ensure that x86 continues to evolve and remains the preferred computing platform for developers and clients. We are excited to bring the entire industry together to provide direction for future architectural enhancements and to continue the great success of the x86 architecture for decades to come.

Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel:

We are at one of the most significant turning points for the x86 architecture and ecosystem in decades, needing to reach new levels of customization, compatibility, and scalability to meet current and future customer demands. We stand proudly with AMD and the founding members of this advisory group to ignite the future of computing, and we are very grateful for the support of many industry leaders.

Intel and AMD, while fierce competitors, consider their rivalry insignificant in the face of the current threat from Arm architecture. If Arm were to encroach on the x86 market in the future, both Intel and AMD would suffer significant setbacks.

Interestingly, the x86 Ecosystem Advisory Group has never specifically mentioned Arm, but it is widely understood that the purpose of the group is to help x86 compete with Arm. Despite the current dominance of x86 in the computing world, Arm's momentum is growing stronger, making the collaboration between Intel and AMD a prudent decision.