Sony and AMD Team Up for AI-Powered Gaming Revolution

Sony and AMD, the technology partners behind the PlayStation 5, are deepening their collaboration to develop advanced AI-powered technology for gaming, reports The Verge. This new initiative, codenamed "Project Amethyst," aims to enhance game graphics and gameplay, potentially impacting future PlayStation consoles and beyond.

"We have begun a deeper collaboration with AMD," said Mark Cerny, lead architect of the PS5 and PS5 Pro, in a recent presentation. "With Amethyst, we've started on another long journey and are combining our expertise with two goals in mind."

Project Amethyst builds upon the existing partnership between Sony and AMD, which has seen the two companies collaborate on the PS5 and PS5 Pro's GPUs, based on AMD's RDNA 2 architecture. The PS5 Pro utilizes a feature called PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution) to improve image clarity and frame rates.

The new initiative will focus on two key areas:

1. Developing an optimized architecture for machine learning: This will prioritize the efficient processing of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), a key element in enhancing game graphics.

2. Creating a comprehensive library of high-quality CNNs for graphics: This will enable both Sony and AMD to leverage these network architectures and training strategies, ultimately contributing to richer game visuals and expanded ray tracing capabilities.

Cerny emphasized that Project Amethyst aims to foster a broader adoption of AI in gaming, stating, "Through this technology collaboration we're looking to support broad work and machine learning across a variety of devices." This implies that the technology could find applications in PCs, consoles, and cloud gaming platforms.

While the project is still in its early stages, Cerny notes that the development of a new console is typically a four-year process, suggesting that the fruits of Project Amethyst might not be fully realized until the PlayStation 6.