Intel could be introducing Software Defined Silicon (SDSi) with upcoming server and datacenter processors such as Xeon Sapphire Rapids. SDSi enables unlocking processor features on a pay-as-you-go basis to minimize upfront costs and enable organizations to add new features without a hardware upgrade. The Linux code for SDSi is expected to be finalized in the 5.18 kernel, which is due this Spring.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/DLCs-for-datacenters-Intel-Software-Defined-Silicon-in-upcoming-Xeon-Sapphire-Rapids-locks-CPU-features-behind-a-paywall.598745.0.html