A new version of OpenAI’s Codex is powered by a new dedicated chip

On Thursday, OpenAI introduced a new, lightweight variant of its coding assistant, Codex. This latest iteration, known as GPT-5.3-Codex-Spark, aims to enhance coding efficiency with accelerated inference capabilities. To support this advancement, OpenAI has incorporated a specialized chip from its hardware ally, Cerebras, representing a significant step in the integration of advanced hardware within the company’s operations. The partnership between OpenAI and Cerebras was initially revealed last month, featuring a substantial multi-year agreement valued at over $10 billion. OpenAI emphasized that the inclusion of Cerebras technology is focused on dramatically improving the response times of their AI systems. The launch of Spark is heralded as a pivotal milestone in this collaboration, aiming for speedy, real-time collaborative coding and rapid prototyping. Powered by Cerebras’ Wafer Scale Engine 3, which boasts an impressive 4 trillion transistors, Codex-Spark is designed for efficiency and immediacy. OpenAI characterizes this tool as a daily productivity enhancer, streamlining the coding process for users who require quick turnarounds. Currently, Spark is available for ChatGPT Pro users as part of a research preview in the Codex application. Ahead of the announcement, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman teased this development, hinting at its potential to bring excitement to Codex users. In their official communications, OpenAI underscored the promise of Codex-Spark to deliver the lowest latency possible, facilitating two distinct modes of operation: one for immediate collaboration and another for long-term tasks requiring deeper analysis. Cerebras' chips are particularly adept at supporting workflows that necessitate minimal delay, positioning them as vital assets in today’s AI landscape. Cerebras, a company with over a decade of experience, has seen its influence grow significantly within the tech sector amid the AI boom. Just last week, it announced a significant funding round that raised $1 billion, bringing its valuation to $23 billion and hinting at aspirations for an IPO. Sean Lie, CTO and co-founder of Cerebras, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with OpenAI, stating that the introduction of GPT-5.3-Codex-Spark allows for the exploration of new interaction patterns and use cases, marking just the beginning of what’s possible with fast inference technology.