Recently, OpenAI has made a significant strategic decision, becoming the primary customer for TSMC's upcoming 1.6nm process chips. According to reports from the Economic Daily, OpenAI will secure production capacity to utilize TSMC's next-generation A16 chips, enabling it to keep pace with technological advancements in the field of AI hardware.
The A16 chips are expected to begin mass production in 2026, with a significantly higher transistor density and performance compared to existing chips. By securing production capacity for these next-generation chips, OpenAI demonstrates its commitment to AI development, particularly in video generation technology. It is said that these new chips will aid OpenAI's Sora model, further enhancing its capabilities in video generation.
This collaboration with TSMC marks OpenAI's move beyond software development and into investing in hardware to support its AI initiatives. Instead of building its own manufacturing facilities, OpenAI has chosen to partner directly with leading semiconductor companies, reflecting its collaborative philosophy.
In addition, OpenAI is also collaborating with other semiconductor companies such as Broadcom and Marvell, planning to develop application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) suitable for AI applications by 2024 or 2025. These ASICs will be produced based on TSMC's 3nm process series and then transition to the A16 process. The partnership with Broadcom and Marvell will help OpenAI leverage their expertise in chip design and manufacturing.
Meanwhile, Apple is also planning to launch new iPhones, integrating OpenAI's technology. Apple revealed in June that its high-end iPhones would incorporate OpenAI's AI solutions. Additionally, there are reports that Apple is in talks for a significant investment in OpenAI, possibly participating in a funding round led by Thrive Capital, aiming to raise $1 billion, which would value OpenAI at $100 billion, making it one of the world's most valuable tech companies.
If Apple indeed decides to invest in OpenAI, it could impact the search services agreement between Apple and Google. Currently, Google pays Apple annually to maintain its status as the default search engine on iOS devices, a contract that began in 2016.
Recently, OpenAI also introduced a new AI search feature — SearchGPT, designed to combine AI models with web information to provide users with fast and accurate information.
Key Points:
🌟 OpenAI becomes the primary customer for TSMC's 1.6nm chips, slated for production in 2026.
📈 OpenAI collaborates with Broadcom and Marvell to develop ASICs suitable for AI applications.
🤝 Apple may make a significant investment in OpenAI, potentially valuing it at $100 billion.