[News] Apple Allegedly Developing AI Processor for Data Centers, with TSMC as Its Foundry Partner

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According to a report from Economic Daily News citing The Wallstreet Journal, Apple is rumored to be developing its own AI chips tailored for data centers, which could potentially give the world’s top smartphone seller a crucial advantage in the AI arms race. The report, quoting sources familiar with the matter, stated that Apple has been working closely with its chip manufacturing partner TSMC to design and produce these chips in the primary stage. However, it is still unclear whether the final version has been produced yet.

It is suggested that Apple’s server chips may focus on executing AI models, particularly in AI inference, rather than AI training, where Nvidia’s chips currently dominate.

Over the past decade, Apple has gradually become a major player in chip design for products like iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac. The latest project involving Apple chips for data center servers, internally named “Project ACDC” (short for Apple Chips in Data Center), will integrate Apple’s IC design capabilities into the operation of clients’ servers, sources said.

The project has been in operation for several years, though the timetable for launching this server chip remains unclear. Apple is expected to unveil more new AI products and AI-related updates at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June.

An Apple spokesperson declined to comment on the reported developments.

According to reports from Wccftech on April 23rd, Apple is said to be working on a self-developed AI server processor using TSMC’s 3-nanometer process, with plans for mass production expected in the second half of 2025.