Cerebras Systems is moving to set up partnerships with suppliers of components used in artificial intelligence hardware — and it won't include Nvidia. The company confirmed it is in early talks with a range of AI component vendors, though it declined to name specific targets or a timeline. The exclusion of Nvidia, the dominant force in AI chips, is a clear strategic choice.
Why Nvidia is out
Nvidia controls the bulk of the market for processors that train large AI models. Its GPUs are the default for many data centers. By leaving Nvidia off its partner list, Cerebras signals it wants to build an ecosystem that doesn't depend on its biggest rival. The company sells its own wafer-scale chips, which are designed to compete directly with Nvidia's offerings. Partnering with component suppliers — memory makers, networking firms, power management companies — lets Cerebras create a more integrated system without feeding Nvidia's supply chain.
The move also reduces the risk of technology leaks or tied-in dependencies. Nvidia has a history of working closely with its own partners, and Cerebras likely wants to avoid any situation where its innovations end up strengthening a competitor.
What the partnerships could look like
AI systems rely on more than just the main processor. High-bandwidth memory, ultra-fast interconnects, specialized cooling, and power delivery are all critical. Cerebras is expected to seek deals with companies that supply these parts, though it hasn't named any. The goal is presumably to lock in favorable terms for components that match its chip architecture — and to ensure those suppliers don't prioritize Nvidia's needs over Cerebras's.
Industry observers note that such partnerships are common in chip design, where even a single missing component can delay a product launch. For Cerebras, which sells to large-scale AI operators like research labs and cloud providers, having a reliable supply chain is essential. The company hasn't said whether it will pursue exclusive deals or non-exclusive agreements.
The competitive landscape
Cerebras has carved out a niche with its massive single-chip design, which is far larger than traditional GPUs. That approach appeals to customers who need to train very large models without dividing work across many smaller chips. But Nvidia's ecosystem is deep, with widely used software libraries and a massive installed base. To compete, Cerebras needs to offer not just a powerful chip but a complete solution that includes compatible memory, networking, and software.
By lining up component suppliers, Cerebras can tailor those pieces to its own chip. The company already has its own software stack. Adding hardware partnerships could help it close the gap with Nvidia's integration. But it's a delicate game: Nvidia is a huge customer for many of the same suppliers. Cerebras will have to offer enough volume or long-term commitments to win them over.
Cerebras has not given a date for when the partnerships will be announced or finalized. The company is expected to continue expanding its customer base, which already includes government agencies and research institutions. How Nvidia reacts — whether by adjusting its own supplier relationships or by releasing competing hardware — is an open question. For now, Cerebras is quietly building its own lane, one component deal at a time.
