Meta teams up with Cerebras for faster Llama API inference.

On April 29, 2025, Meta and Cerebras announced a strategic collaboration aimed at revolutionizing AI inference by offering ultra-fast inference services through the new Llama API. This partnership integrates the popular open-source Llama model with Cerebras' cutting-edge inference technology, potentially transforming the landscape for developers worldwide. The key highlight of this collaboration is the significant speed improvement in applications built using the Llama 4 Cerebras model. According to the announcement, these applications can generate outputs up to 18 times faster than conventional GPU solutions. This exponential increase in speed opens the door to a new class of applications that require low latency processing, such as real-time voice recognition, interactive code generation, and multi-step reasoning tasks. These tasks, which previously took minutes to complete, can now be performed within seconds, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency. Cerebras, known for its innovative AI supercomputing solutions, has already established itself as a leader in the field with its Wafer-Scale Engine-3 (WSE-3), the world's largest and fastest commercial AI processor. The CS-3 system, powered by the WSE-3, enables simple clustering and significantly reduces the complexity of deploying large models. Since launching its inference solutions in 2024, Cerebras has processed billions of AI tokens, making it the go-to provider for high-speed Llama inference services. This new initiative further cements Cerebras' relationship with Meta, one of the world's largest social media companies, and broadens its developer base. Developers interested in accessing the early version of the Llama API can do so by visiting www.cerebras.ai/inference. Once onboarded, they can select the Cerebras model within the API options to benefit from the unparalleled speed and efficiency. Cerebras CEO and co-founder Andrew Feldman emphasized the significance of this advancement, stating, "Cerebras is proud to make the Llama API the world's fastest inference API. Building agent-based and real-time applications demands exceptional speed, and by integrating Cerebras into Llama API, developers can create AI systems that traditional GPU-based inference clouds simply cannot match." The performance gains are evident from third-party benchmarks. According to Artificial Analysis, Cerebras' inference speed on the Llama 4 Scout model reaches over 2,600 tokens per second, far surpassing ChatGPT's 130 tokens per second and DeepSeek's 25 tokens per second. This speed advantage simplifies the process of prototyping, building, and scaling real-time AI applications, making advanced AI capabilities more accessible. The collaboration is a win-win for both companies. For Cerebras, it means greater visibility and recognition within the global developer community, reinforcing its position as a leading provider of AI inference solutions. For Meta, it enhances the capabilities and attractiveness of its developer ecosystem, solidifying its role in the development and promotion of open-source AI models. In addition to the speed boost, the platform offers a robust alternative to existing major players like OpenAI. Developers now have access to powerful tools that can help them build intelligent real-time systems, thereby expanding the possibilities for innovation in the AI space. This democratization of high-performance AI inference is expected to drive widespread adoption and foster a more vibrant developer community. The impact of this partnership extends beyond just speed and scale. It sets a new standard for AI inference, making it easier for developers to work with complex models and deploy them efficiently. The simplicity and ease of use provided by the Cerebras infrastructure are particularly noteworthy, as they reduce the barriers to entry for smaller teams and individuals who may lack the resources to manage large-scale distributed computing environments. For instance, real-time applications such as virtual assistants, customer service bots, and interactive educational tools will benefit immensely from the reduced latency and increased processing power. Cerebras' technology allows these systems to respond almost instantaneously, enhancing user interaction and satisfaction. The potential applications are vast, ranging from enhanced natural language processing (NLP) to sophisticated data analysis and predictive modeling. The partnership also addresses a critical need in the AI development community: the ability to handle large volumes of data and compute-intensive tasks without compromising performance. As AI models continue to grow in size and complexity, the demand for efficient and scalable inference solutions will only increase. By meeting this demand head-on, Meta and Cerebras are positioning themselves as key players in the evolving AI ecosystem. Industry insiders have praised the collaboration, noting that it marks a significant milestone in AI development. The optimization of speed and scale offered by Cerebras is seen as a game-changer that could redefine what is possible in real-time AI applications. For Meta, this move not only bolsters its standing in the open-source AI model domain but also injects new energy into its developer community, encouraging more experimentation and innovation. Cerebras Systems, founded by a team of leading computer architects, scientists, and engineers, is at the forefront of AI supercomputer development. The company's flagship product, the CS-3 system, leverages the WSE-3 processor to deliver exceptional performance. Cerebras' solutions are available via Cerebras Cloud or local deployment, catering to a wide range of organizations, from large enterprises to research institutions and government agencies. For more information on Cerebras and its offerings, visit cerebras.ai or follow the company on LinkedIn, X, and Threads. Overall, the Meta-Cerebras partnership represents a significant leap forward in AI inference technology. By combining Meta's extensive reach in the developer community with Cerebras' unparalleled processing capabilities, the collaboration is poised to usher in a new era of real-time AI applications, making complex and powerful AI systems more accessible and efficient for developers worldwide.