Extropic's Thermodynamic Computing Aims for 3-4 Orders of Magnitude Efficiency Gain in AI Hardware

Austin, TX – Guillaume Verdon, known online as "Beff – e/acc" and CEO of Extropic, recently signaled a significant milestone for his company with a terse social media update: > "update: let's goooooo." The enthusiastic post, shared on July 10, 2025, points to accelerating progress in Extropic's development of novel physics-based AI processors, poised to redefine efficiency in generative AI.

Extropic, founded in 2022, is pioneering a new computational paradigm dubbed "thermodynamic computing." This innovative approach harnesses the natural, often-problematic, thermodynamic fluctuations within electronic circuits, transforming them into an asset for highly efficient probabilistic calculations. The company aims to deliver chips that are three to four orders of magnitude more efficient than current AI hardware, addressing the escalating energy demands of large AI models.

The Austin-based startup emerged from stealth mode in December 2023, announcing a successful $14.1 million Seed funding round. This round saw participation from prominent investors including Kindred Ventures, Buckley Ventures, HOF Capital, and notable angel investors such as Aidan Gomez (Cohere) and Garry Tan (Y Combinator). The capital infusion is intended to accelerate the development of Extropic's unique computational technology.

Guillaume Verdon, a former quantum computing lead at Alphabet's X, is a central figure in the "effective accelerationism" (e/acc) movement. This philosophy champions rapid, unrestricted technological advancement, particularly in artificial intelligence, often contrasting with more cautious "AI safety" approaches. Verdon's public persona as "Beff – e/acc" has become synonymous with this techno-optimistic stance, advocating for continuous innovation to drive civilizational growth.

Extropic's technology, detailed in a March 2025 Wired article, focuses on "p-bits" (probabilistic bits) that leverage inherent randomness for calculations, a stark departure from conventional digital computing. The company's roadmap includes a "Thermodynamic Intelligence" offering slated for Summer 2025, suggesting that Verdon's recent "update" tweet may allude to a critical advancement or the imminent launch of this highly anticipated technology. The firm's progress indicates a direct challenge to established AI chip manufacturers like Nvidia, promising a fundamental shift in the landscape of AI hardware.