Latest news with #TensorProcessingUnits
Business Insider
16-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Pentagon Awards $800M in AI Contracts: How Google, Microsoft, and Palantir Could Gain
The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded contracts worth up to $800 million to four major AI players: xAI, OpenAI, Google (GOOG), and Anthropic. Each agreement has a ceiling of $200 million and focuses on developing 'agentic' AI systems that can interpret data, make decisions, and operate autonomously in secure, classified environments. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. Make smarter investment decisions with TipRanks' Smart Investor Picks, delivered to your inbox every week. These contracts are part of the Pentagon's 'commercial-first' strategy to speed up the adoption of scalable, secure AI across military operations. Applications range from logistics and cybersecurity to battlefield planning. The initiative also reflects growing concerns about staying competitive with global rivals, such as China, in defense technology. What's the Plan, Stan? Google is contributing through its cloud division. Google Cloud holds an Impact Level 6 (IL6) clearance, the highest level of security authorization for handling classified government data. That clearance makes it a strong candidate to support sensitive AI workloads. While the company has not specified which products are involved, its secure cloud infrastructure, such as Tensor Processing Units and the Agentspace stack, could play a key role. Although $200 million is minor compared to Google's 2 trillion market cap, defense partnerships may boost long-term positioning in the enterprise and government cloud space. Microsoft (MSFT), while not a direct contract recipient, is closely tied to the effort. OpenAI's tools are deployed using Microsoft Azure, which already meets Department of Defense security standards. OpenAI's new 'OpenAI for Government' initiative includes models for cyber defense, logistics, and secure communications. As OpenAI's exclusive infrastructure partner, Microsoft could benefit as Azure becomes more embedded in government AI workflows. Another major player, Palantir Technologies (PLTR), may also benefit indirectly. Anthropic's Claude Gov models are designed for use in secure, classified networks. Palantir, known for its data integration and analytics platforms across U.S. defense agencies, could act as a distribution and deployment partner. While there is no formal link between Anthropic and Palantir in this contract, existing collaborations suggest that integration is possible. xAI, founded by Elon Musk, introduced 'Grok for Government' and secured a spot on the General Services Administration (GSA) schedule. That placement allows federal agencies to purchase its tools more easily. While xAI remains private, and its chatbot has drawn scrutiny for erratic responses, inclusion in this award round signals an entry point into national security work. Using TipRanks' Comparison Tool, we've assembled and compared the three publicly traded companies appearing in the piece. This helps you gain a broader perspective on each stock and its overall standings. The Takeaway for Investors These contracts are more about strategic positioning than immediate revenue. AI companies with government-grade security, scalable infrastructure, and integration potential may gain long-term advantages as defense spending on AI accelerates.
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Microsoft's next-gen AI chip production delayed to 2026: Report
Microsoft's next-generation Maia AI chip is facing a delay of at least six months, pushing its mass production to 2026 from 2025, The Information reported on Friday, citing three people involved in the effort. When the chip, code-named Braga, goes into production, it is expected to fall well short of the performance of Nvidia's Blackwell chip that was released late last year, the report said. Microsoft had hoped to use the Braga chip in its data centers this year, the report said, adding that unanticipated changes to its design, staffing constraints and high turnover were contributing to the delay. Microsoft did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Like its Big Tech peers, Microsoft has focused heavily on developing custom processors for artificial intelligence operations and general purpose applications, a move that would help reduce the tech giant's reliance on pricey Nvidia chips. Cloud rivals Amazon and Alphabet's Google have both raced to develop chips in-house, customized for their specific needs with the goal of improving performance and reducing costs. Microsoft had introduced the Maia chip in November 2023, but has lagged its peers in ramping it up to scale. Google, meanwhile, has seen success with its custom AI chips - called Tensor Processing Units - and in April unveiled its seventh-generation AI chip designed to speed the performance of AI applications. Amazon in December also unveiled its next-generation AI chip Trainium3 that is set to be released late this year.
Indian Express
28-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Microsoft's next-gen AI chip production delayed to 2026: Report
Microsoft's next-generation Maia AI chip is facing a delay of at least six months, pushing its mass production to 2026 from 2025, The Information reported on Friday, citing three people involved in the effort. When the chip, code-named Braga, goes into production, it is expected to fall well short of the performance of Nvidia's Blackwell chip that was released late last year, the report said. Microsoft had hoped to use the Braga chip in its data centers this year, the report said, adding that unanticipated changes to its design, staffing constraints and high turnover were contributing to the delay. Microsoft did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Like its Big Tech peers, Microsoft has focused heavily on developing custom processors for artificial intelligence operations and general purpose applications, a move that would help reduce the tech giant's reliance on pricey Nvidia chips. Cloud rivals Amazon and Alphabet's Google have both raced to develop chips in-house, customized for their specific needs with the goal of improving performance and reducing costs. Microsoft had introduced the Maia chip in November 2023, but has lagged its peers in ramping it up to scale. Google, meanwhile, has seen success with its custom AI chips – called Tensor Processing Units – and in April unveiled its seventh-generation AI chip designed to speed the performance of AI applications. Amazon in December also unveiled its next-generation AI chip Trainium3 that is set to be released late this year.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Microsoft's next-gen AI chip production delayed to 2026, The Information reports
(Reuters) -Microsoft's next-generation Maia AI chip is facing a delay of at least six months, pushing its mass production to 2026 from 2025, The Information reported on Friday, citing three people involved in the effort. When the chip, code-named Braga, goes into production, it is expected to fall well short of the performance of Nvidia's Blackwell chip that was released late last year, the report said. Microsoft had hoped to use the Braga chip in its data centers this year, the report said, adding that unanticipated changes to its design, staffing constraints and high turnover were contributing to the delay. Microsoft did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Like its Big Tech peers, Microsoft has focused heavily on developing custom processors for artificial intelligence operations and general purpose applications, a move that would help reduce the tech giant's reliance on pricey Nvidia chips. Cloud rivals Amazon and Alphabet's Google have both raced to develop chips in-house, customized for their specific needs with the goal of improving performance and reducing costs. Microsoft had introduced the Maia chip in November 2023, but has lagged its peers in ramping it up to scale. Google, meanwhile, has seen success with its custom AI chips - called Tensor Processing Units - and in April unveiled its seventh-generation AI chip designed to speed the performance of AI applications. Amazon in December also unveiled its next-generation AI chip Trainium3 that is set to be released late this year.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Microsoft's next-gen AI chip production delayed to 2026, The Information reports
(Reuters) -Microsoft's next-generation Maia AI chip is facing a delay of at least six months, pushing its mass production to 2026 from 2025, The Information reported on Friday, citing three people involved in the effort. When the chip, code-named Braga, goes into production, it is expected to fall well short of the performance of Nvidia's Blackwell chip that was released late last year, the report said. Microsoft had hoped to use the Braga chip in its data centers this year, the report said, adding that unanticipated changes to its design, staffing constraints and high turnover were contributing to the delay. Microsoft did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Like its Big Tech peers, Microsoft has focused heavily on developing custom processors for artificial intelligence operations and general purpose applications, a move that would help reduce the tech giant's reliance on pricey Nvidia chips. Cloud rivals Amazon and Alphabet's Google have both raced to develop chips in-house, customized for their specific needs with the goal of improving performance and reducing costs. Microsoft had introduced the Maia chip in November 2023, but has lagged its peers in ramping it up to scale. Google, meanwhile, has seen success with its custom AI chips - called Tensor Processing Units - and in April unveiled its seventh-generation AI chip designed to speed the performance of AI applications. Amazon in December also unveiled its next-generation AI chip Trainium3 that is set to be released late this year.
