Groq
An AI inference company known for extremely fast LLM processing through custom hardware.
Definition
Groq is an AI chip company that developed custom Language Processing Units (LPUs) optimized specifically for AI inference. Their systems run open-source models like Llama and Mixtral at speeds far exceeding GPU-based alternatives—often 10-18x faster.
Unlike companies training models, Groq focuses purely on running existing models faster, offering API access to their high-speed infrastructure.
Why It Matters
Speed transforms AI applications—real-time conversation, instant analysis, and responsive AI experiences require sub-second latency. Groq demonstrates that inference performance is an innovation frontier separate from model capability.
For latency-sensitive applications, Groq enables experiences impossible with traditional GPU inference.
Examples in Practice
A voice AI company uses Groq for real-time conversation, achieving response times that feel natural rather than the awkward pauses of standard inference.
A trading firm tests Groq for time-sensitive analysis where milliseconds matter, processing market data through LLMs at speeds previously impossible.