AMD’s Open Architecture Challenge Opens Doors for Partner Nominations

AMD (NYSE: AMD), along with Architecture for Humanity (AFH), announced today at the World Economic Forum in Africa that it is accepting nominations for a community partner for the 2007 AMD Open Architecture Challenge. Through this Request for Proposals, local NGOs, community groups and small business enterprises now have the opportunity to nominate themselves to become the implementing partner for a new sustainable digital inclusion center that will provide greater educational, social and economic opportunities via the Internet. The Request for Proposals is available online on the Open Architecture Network (OAN) at www.openarchitecturenetwork.org/challenge and the deadline for submissions is July 20, 2007.

The Open Architecture Challenge was announced at the annual TED Conference in March of this year and is the first open international design competition that reaches beyond the traditional bounds of architecture by challenging industry professionals and others to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to improve living conditions around the world. AMD is sponsoring this year’s challenge through 50x15, a global initiative founded by AMD to enable affordable Internet access and computing capability for 50 percent of the world’s population by the year 2015. The sustainable digital inclusion center to be built will fall under the 50x15 Initiative as a learning lab; 50x15 Learning Labs are technology-based projects used to gain knowledge on how best to foster digital inclusion in a specific region.

“The Open Architecture Challenge is a great extension of the 50x15 Initiative, where learning labs are more than technology deployments. They truly bring communities together,” said Dan Shine, director of the 50x15 Initiative, AMD. “From nomination to design to construction, the great thing about this contest is that we are engaging with communities from the start. This challenge will not only open the doors for one community, but through replication of the lessons learned, we are taking significant steps toward our greater goal of bridging the digital divide.”

Following the close of the RFP submission, AMD and AFH will choose a location that presently lacks connectivity as the site of the challenge. The second step in the process will be for the two organizations along with the chosen community partner to define the parameters around which international design teams will compete to develop a sustainable learning lab.

“Creating real social and economic change does not happen by the generation of ideas alone, but by building sustainable and replicable solutions, we can truly make a difference,” said Cameron Sinclair, executive director and co-founder, Architecture for Humanity. “AMD’s experience with 50x15 Learning Labs adds tremendous value to this program. Together we’ve been able to combine the core competencies of our organizations to improve conditions for people around the world.”

As soon as an implementation partner is chosen and contest parameters are defined, additional information relating to the proposed site and other pertinent criteria will also be available on the OAN. The design competition will launch on September 5, 2007 and will be open for approximately four months; at the end of which, AMD will fund the implementation of the winning design.

About 50x15
The 50x15 Initiative, launched by AMD in 2004 at the World Economic Forum, is a bold and far-reaching effort to develop new technology and solutions that will help enable affordable Internet access and computing capability for 50 percent of the world’s population by the year 2015. More than just goodwill, 50x15 is about fostering long-term economic progress and investment within high-growth markets in ways that benefit a wide range of people and businesses. For more information, visit www.50x15.com.

About AMD
Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) is a leading global provider of innovative processing solutions in the computing, graphics and consumer electronics markets. AMD is dedicated to driving open innovation, choice and industry growth by delivering superior customer-centric solutions that empower consumers and businesses worldwide. For more information, visit www.amd.com.

About Architecture for Humanity
Architecture for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crises and provides design services to communities in need. Currently it involved in the reconstruction of homes on the Gulf Coast, rebuilding after the South Asia Tsunami and the construction of healthcare facilities in Sub-Saharan Africa. For more information, please visit www.architectureforhumanity.org

About the Open Architecture Network
The Open Architecture Network is an online, open source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design. For more information please visit: www.openarchitecturenetwork.org.