Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What libraries come preinstalled on First AI Cloud instances?

Instances come preinstalled with CUDA, Python 3, Tensorflow, CuArrays, PyTorch®, Plots, Flux, and Zygote.

Can I install my own DL/ML libraries and dependencies?

You can install any library that supports Ubuntu 20.04. Dependencies can be installed using the apt-get command for the Advanced Package Tool (APT) available in Ubuntu.

How do I use persistent storage to save datasets and system state?

You can use the First AI Cloud Storage feature to save datasets and system state. You can also create containers. See the FAQ on our docs site for more information.

How do I upload and download models & data to my instances from my local machine?

Check out our how to guide on transferring data to and from your instance. Please note: If an instance is terminated, all data will be deleted, so it’s important to backup results to either your local machine or external cloud storage.

How do I upload and download models & data to my instances from S3 or Google Cloud Storage?

Where can I find documentation for using First AI Cloud?

You can find documentation for using First AI Cloud at the First AI Docs site.

Single-GPU instances usually take 3-5 minutes to launch. Multi-GPU instances usually take 10-15 minutes to launch.

How do I shutdown / terminate the instance?

It is recommended to terminate instances using the First AI Cloud dashboard and will be billed until terminated in the dashboard. You can also use the Cloud API to terminate instances. Please note: Terminating an instance permanently deletes all data on the instance.

How do I get started using the Team feature?

Check out our guide to get started using the Team feature.

Who can use First AI Cloud?

Users from the following regions can use First AI Cloud: USA, Canada, Chile, European Union, Switzerland, UK, Iceland, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Israel, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand.

Can I use Blender or other rendering programs on First AI Cloud?

First AI Cloud instances do not support graphical user interfaces (GUI) and are optimized for deep learning. Using a cloud instance as a remote render farm instance is possible, but it is not a supported use case.

Can I mine Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency on First AI Cloud?

First AI Cloud is intended for deep learning use cases. Mining Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency mining is not allowed.

Can my data be recovered once I've terminated my instance?

We cannot recover your data once your instance has been terminated! Make sure to backup up all data that you want to keep!

I think you might be down. Do you have a status page?

For the latest service outage and maintenance updates please check the First AI Cloud status page.

How are instances invoiced?

On-demand instances are billed in one-minute increments from the moment you spin up (start) the instance up to the moment you terminate (stop) the instance. Instances are billed for as long as they're running, regardless if the GPUs are being utilized.

How do I close my account?

To close your account, navigate to “Settings” in your First AI GPU Cloud dashboard. After closing your account, you will no longer be able to log in and your data will be lost.

Why is my credit or debit card being declined?

We don't accept prepaid cards, charges made from certain countries, and charges made while connected to a VPN. See the FAQ on our docs site for more information.

Why did I receive an email saying 3D secure authentication is required to process my payment?

First AI recently moved to a new billing system. As part of this move, you might receive an email saying your payment was declined because 3D secure authentication is required. If you receive this email and the card you have on file is still valid, your payment should go through in the next billing cycle. If your payment doesn't go through, contact Support for help.

How do I close my account?

To close your account, navigate to “Settings” in your First AI GPU Cloud dashboard. After closing your account, you will no longer be able to log in and your data will be lost.

Does First AI offer credits for students or researchers?

We do not have a formal cloud credit program in place, but we do occasionally offer cloud credits for specific events or projects. Please email us at cloud@1ai.com.if you are interested in credits for an academic project.

Does First AI Cloud support multi-user access?

You can use the Team feature for multi-user access to First AI Cloud. If you would like to set up different instances for different users, you can attach a unique private key to each new instance. If you would like to have multiple users share a single instance, you can use Ubuntu’s built in multi-user access controls to give each user their own account.

Where are the First AI Cloud data centers located?

We have data centers located in San Francisco, CA and Allen, TX.

What is the configuration of the instances available on First AI Cloud?

Can I spin up multiple instances on First AI Cloud?

Yes, you can spin up multiple instances in the dashboard or using the Cloud API.

What are the network speeds available on First AI Cloud instances?

Depending on the instance type network burst speeds can range from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps.

Can I only use a subset of GPUs available on each First AI instance and pay only for the number of GPUs that I am using?

We currently have instance types with 4 or 8 GPUs. It is not possible to only pay for a partial number of GPUs in an instance.

How can I perform distributed training on multiple instances on First AI Cloud?

Distributed training can be performed across multiple instances using a framework like Horovod. We recommend only using the same instance type for each node when clustering instances. The maximum inter-node connectivity is 10 Gbps.

Can I launch an instance from a command line or from a script?

You can launch instances from a command line or from a script using the Cloud API.

How do I terminate an instance using the Cloud API?

For step-by-step instructions on how to terminate an instance using the Cloud API, see the FAQ on our docs site.