AI Infrastructure Expansion Race: From Data Centers to Inference Software

인프라/플랫폼 | Thu Jul 09 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) | 4 sources

AI infrastructure is expanding across all fronts, from Meta breaking ground on a new data center to ZML's launch of inference software and SambaNova's massive funding round.

Analysis

[Meta] broke ground on its first AI data center in Canada ^[1]

• Located in Sturgeon County
• Alberta
• 1GW-scale AI-optimized data center
• 33rd data center worldwide

[ZML] released multi-chip inference acceleration software LLMD for free ^[2]

• Supports various chips including Nvidia
• AMD
• Google TPU
• Apple Metal
• and Intel Arc
• Enables running open source LLMs across multiple chips
• Released as a free product rather than open source
• French startup backed by Yann LeCun
• Raised $20 million from 20VC
• Kima Ventures
• and others

[SambaNova] raised $1 billion in the first close of its Series F ^[3]

• Valued at $11 billion
• Just five months after its previous major round
• Follows rumors of a $1.6 billion acquisition attempt by Intel

[MIT Technology Review] highlighted the rise of AI platforms at EmTech AI 2026 ^[4]

• Presented 'The Rise of the AI Platform' as a core theme
• Hosted by the MIT-based independent media company

Sources

• [1] Breaking Ground on Meta’s First Data Center in Canada - Meta AI Blog
• [2] Hot French startup ZML releases free product to speed inference across lots of AI chips - TechCrunch AI
• [3] AI chip maker SambaNova raises $1B at $11B valuation, 5 months after last mega round - TechCrunch AI
• [4] EmTech AI 2026: The Rise of the AI Platform - MIT Technology Review AI