Intel has announced the release of version 1.24.0 of its NPU Linux driver, which plays a crucial role in connecting the kernel driver to user-space components. This latest update incorporates enhancements to various components, including Level Zero (upgraded to v1.24.2), OpenVINO (now version 2025.3), and the NPU Compiler (npu_ud_2025_38_rc1). These improvements are specifically designed to optimize AI workload performance and energy efficiency on Intel-based systems.
The NPU, or Neural Processing Unit, is an integrated AI inference accelerator embedded in select Intel CPUs from the Core Ultra generation (previously known as Meteor Lake). This technology enables effective execution of artificial neural networks while minimizing energy consumption. The new driver release also introduces two distinct GPU driver versions for Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04, catering to diverse system capabilities and user needs.
By integrating these components with the upstream IVPU kernel driver, developers can fully harness advanced AI functionalities present in Intel CPUs. This synergy not only enhances execution speeds for sophisticated neural network tasks but also contributes to significant energy savings.
Developers and system administrators interested in utilizing the latest features can access the Intel NPU Linux user-space driver components via the official GitHub repository. The release has been validated for configurations based on the Meteor Lake platform, ensuring compatibility and reliability for users.
In summary, Intel’s NPU Driver v1.24.0 marks a significant step forward in supporting AI workloads, providing developers with essential tools to maximize performance and efficiency. As AI continues to evolve, such advancements in driver technology will be pivotal for leveraging the full potential of hardware capabilities in complex computational tasks. Future updates may further enhance support for emerging AI applications and expand compatibility with additional operating systems and frameworks
The NPU, or Neural Processing Unit, is an integrated AI inference accelerator embedded in select Intel CPUs from the Core Ultra generation (previously known as Meteor Lake). This technology enables effective execution of artificial neural networks while minimizing energy consumption. The new driver release also introduces two distinct GPU driver versions for Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04, catering to diverse system capabilities and user needs.
By integrating these components with the upstream IVPU kernel driver, developers can fully harness advanced AI functionalities present in Intel CPUs. This synergy not only enhances execution speeds for sophisticated neural network tasks but also contributes to significant energy savings.
Developers and system administrators interested in utilizing the latest features can access the Intel NPU Linux user-space driver components via the official GitHub repository. The release has been validated for configurations based on the Meteor Lake platform, ensuring compatibility and reliability for users.
In summary, Intel’s NPU Driver v1.24.0 marks a significant step forward in supporting AI workloads, providing developers with essential tools to maximize performance and efficiency. As AI continues to evolve, such advancements in driver technology will be pivotal for leveraging the full potential of hardware capabilities in complex computational tasks. Future updates may further enhance support for emerging AI applications and expand compatibility with additional operating systems and frameworks
Linux NPU Driver v1.24.0 released
Intel has released version 1.24.0 of its NPU Linux driver, which serves as a bridge between the kernel driver and user-space components. This release includes updates to Level Zero (v1.24.2), OpenVINO (2025.3), and the NPU Compiler (npu_ud_2025_38_rc1), aiming to improve AI workload performance and efficiency on Intel-based systems. Two distinct versions of the GPU driver are now available for Ubuntu 22.04 and 24.04, further enhancing system capabilities. The combined components and the upstream IVPU kernel driver allow developers to access advanced AI features in their Intel CPUs, leading to better energy efficiency and faster execution speeds.
