AMD Unveils Powerful New AI Chips at CES 2026
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) introduced a new line of high-performance artificial intelligence chips at the CES trade show in Las Vegas, signalling its ambition to challenge market leader Nvidia. CEO Lisa Su showcased several upcoming products, including the advanced MI455 AI processor, designed for data centre use in systems operated by clients such as ChatGPT maker OpenAI.
Expanding AI Capabilities for Business and Research
Alongside the MI455, Su also unveiled the MI440X, an enterprise-focused chip from the MI400 series. This version is tailored for on-premise use in business environments that are not built specifically for AI workloads. The MI440X is based on earlier designs already slated for use in a United States government supercomputer.
During the event, OpenAI President Greg Brockman joined Su on stage, emphasising the critical importance of chip innovation for the company’s expanding computational demands. Su also previewed AMD’s next major development, the MI500 processor, claiming it will deliver up to 1,000 times the performance of previous generations. The MI500 series is expected to launch in 2027.
Strengthening Competition in the AI Market
AMD remains one of Nvidia’s closest competitors in the AI hardware space, though it continues to trail the market leader. The company’s October agreement with OpenAI, worth billions of dollars, was described as a significant vote of confidence in AMD’s technology. Despite this, analysts believe it will not immediately disrupt Nvidia’s dominance, as Nvidia continues to sell every AI chip it produces.
At CES, Su also introduced Daniele Pucci, CEO of Italian AI firm Generative Bionics, who presented GENE.01, a humanoid robot scheduled for commercial production in the second half of 2026. Earlier in the day, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang unveiled the Vera Rubin platform, comprising six advanced chips, now in full production and set for release later this year.
Expanding Product Line for Consumer and Enterprise Use
In addition to its data centre innovations, AMD launched the Ryzen AI 400 Series processors for AI-powered personal computers, as well as the Ryzen AI Max+ chips designed to enhance gaming and local inference tasks. The company expects these releases, alongside its OpenAI partnership, to boost sales significantly in the coming year.
with inputs from Reuters
