Intel wants Arc users to become AI creators

Intel is launching a dedicated tool for generative AI powered by ARC Graphics.

Intel has just released the first version of the AI Playground, a tool in active development designed for Arc GPU users. This Windows application, which is free and open-source, enables users to generate images and text using popular open-weight models. The AI Playground offers both built-in functions and manual tweaking options, which is crucial for generative AI tasks.

There are many tools available for generative AI, such as Automatic1111 and LM Studio, which can utilize Intel hardware. However, AI Playground seems to be specifically designed for discrete Arc GPUs and, eventually, integrated graphics.

AI Playground,Source: Intel

Users will find the tool straightforward, with easy-to-understand option descriptions even for those unfamiliar with such tools. It aids in easy model downloading and the addition of new models, with Intel providing a video guide on the process. Currently, the AI Playground supports Stable Diffusion 1.5 and SDXL for generative AI, although nothing should prevent one from downloading other models.

The application itself is a 700MB download, but it will grow significantly as new models are added. Intel has confirmed that the AI Playground will eventually support Core Ultra-H processors (likely the Core Ultra 100H series) with integrated Arc (Alchemist) graphics. Future support for Core Ultra 200V processors, which use the Xe2-LPG architecture, is to be expected but not yet confirmed.

Source: Intel