31: ARM-ing Ourselves with Google Axion, Part 1

About this episode

This episode features an interview with Mo Farhat discussing the transition from x86 to ARM-based Axion chips at Spotify and its implications for cloud computing.

Spotify is in the middle of a big shift in modern computing: moving from x86 processors to Google’s new ARM-based Axion chips. This isn’t just a hardware swap — it’s a disruptive change with ripple effects across performance, efficiency, and sustainability. In this episode, we sit down with Mo Farhat, Group Product Manager for Google Compute Engine, to unpack what makes ARM so game-changing in the data center. From the history of ARM’s rise, to the challenges of designing chips for hyperscale workloads, to why this transition matters for the future of cloud computing, Mo offers a look inside how Axion was built and why now is the tipping point for ARM. If you’ve ever wondered what really powers the services you use every day — and why Spotify is betting on Axion — this is the episode to listen to. Learn more about Google Axion Processors: Leading processors custom-built for cloud workloads Introducing Google Axion Processors, our new Arm-based CPUs C4A VMs now GA: Our first custom Arm-based Axion CPU Axion in action: Unlock price-performance and efficiency with Google Axion VMs The Impact of Google Cloud’s Arm-Based Axion Chip: Explained Read what else we’re nerding out about on…

People in this episode

Guest: Mo Farhat

Topics covered

• ARM architecture
• cloud computing
• data center technology
• processor design
• sustainability
• performance efficiency

Keywords

• ARM
• Axion chips
• cloud workloads
• Google Compute Engine
• data center
• performance
• efficiency
• sustainability

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Google, Spotify, Google Compute Engine, Google Cloud

Products: ARM-based Axion chips, Axion

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