Apple is reportedly partnering with Broadcom to develop its own AI server chip, 'Baltra'

It was reported in May 2024 that Apple was developing a dedicated chip for AI data centers, but it has now been reported that the chip is codenamed ' Baltra ' and is being developed in partnership with semiconductor manufacturer Broadcom .

Apple Is Working on AI Chip With Broadcom — The Information
https://www.theinformation.com/articles/apple-is-working-on-ai-chip-with-broadcom

Apple Partners with Broadcom to Develop First AI Server Chips, Launch Set for 2026 - Decrypt
https://decrypt.co/296139/apple-partners-with-broadcom-to-develop-first-ai-server-chips-launch-set-for-2026

Apple working with Broadcom to develop AI chip, the Information reports | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-is-working-ai-chip-with-broadcom-information-reports-2024-12-11/

Apple reportedly developing AI server chip with Broadcom | TechCrunch
https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/11/apple-reportedly-developing-ai-server-chip-with-broadcom/

According to a report from The Information, Apple is partnering with Broadcom to develop its first AI server chip for data centers. According to a person who provided information to The Information who said he was 'directly involved in the project,' the AI server chip Apple is developing has the code name 'Baltra' and is scheduled to begin production in 2026. According to industry experts, Apple's AI server chip development is aimed at bringing the server needs of Apple Intelligence, the company's personal AI, closer to the United States.

Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, a regular on Apple leaks, explains why Apple is developing its own AI server chip: 'While some of these functions can actually be handled independently on the iPhone, iPad or Mac, some of them - like writing tools, text summaries and even article summaries - need to be sent to the cloud. And to do that, you need your own server infrastructure.'

Apple announced its personal AI, Apple Intelligence, at WWDC24 held in June 2024. At that time, it revealed plans to use its own server chips to enhance the performance of Apple Intelligence.

Apple announces new personal AI 'Apple Intelligence', Siri supports ChatGPT in partnership with OpenAI - GIGAZINE

Broadcom, a semiconductor manufacturer that is partnering with Apple to develop AI server chips, was founded in 1991. Broadcom products are used in data centers, networks, wireless communications and more, supporting a variety of cutting-edge technologies and applications.

Apple has announced a multi-year partnership with Broadcom to develop 5G modem chips for Apple products through 2023. Technology media Decrypt reports that the partnership has also led to the development of AI server chips with Apple.

Apple signs billion-yen contract with Broadcom to develop and manufacture 5G components in the US - GIGAZINE

The AI server chip that Apple is developing aims to meet the computing demands of Apple's AI functions while improving performance and energy efficiency. The development is being led by Apple's silicon design team, and manufacturing is being handled by TSMC . It has been reported that TSMC's improved 3nm process 'N3P' will be used to manufacture the AI server chip.

In early December 2024, Apple confirmed that the AI-related chips used to support search and Apple Intelligence are manufactured through partnerships with Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services.

Apple is also reportedly developing its own 5G modem and Wi-Fi chips .