Apple Develops AI Chips with TSMC for Data Centers
Apple is collaborating with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. to develop AI chips under Project ACDC, short for “Apple Chips in Data Center.” This joint effort aims to enable Apple to utilize its own AI hardware in data centers, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Apple’s Strategic Silence
At present, Apple has chosen not to address inquiries from Quartz or provide feedback to The Wall Street Journal regarding this initiative. Despite the lack of official statements, sources cited by The Journal have refrained from indicating a specific timeline for the release of Apple’s AI chip, should it materialize.
The specific details of Apple’s AI roadmap remain largely undisclosed. However, anticipations are high that Apple executives will illuminate their strategy for AI and unveil upcoming AI products during the Worldwide Developers Conference slated for early June. Apple’s CEO Tim Cook has hinted at a significant announcement during this event, reflecting on the potential for generative AI to be a pivotal aspect of their product offerings, with further insights expected to be shared in the near future.
Industry Speculation on Apple’s AI Chip Deployment
Notwithstanding current ambiguities, industry analysts project that Apple’s initial AI products may not exclusively leverage their proprietary AI chips. According to Anduril CEO Palmer Lucky in a recent Bloomberg Technology podcast conversation, Apple is likely to initially rely on third-party infrastructure for AI processing, with potential plans for establishing its AI server ecosystem in the future.
The development of dedicated AI chips by Apple signifies a proactive move to compete with tech giants such as Google, Meta, and Microsoft, who have diligently invested in AI hardware to augment their AI capabilities. While Apple’s customized AI chips may not directly challenge Nvidia’s dominance in general-purpose AI chips, they are anticipated to help tech companies like Apple reduce their reliance on third-party products, potentially affecting Nvidia’s revenue stream heavily reliant on Big Tech clientele.
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