Apple's self-designed AI server chip "Baltra" may be manufactured by TSMC (technode.com)

Apple is advancing its foray into artificial intelligence with the announcement of a self-designed AI server chip, codenamed "Baltra," which will likely be manufactured by TSMC using their second-generation 3nm process technology (N3E). This development comes through a collaboration with Broadcom and is expected to incorporate a semiconductor glass substrate from Samsung, which has reportedly supplied initial samples to Apple. The significance of Baltra lies in its potential to enhance Apple’s cloud computing capabilities while minimizing reliance on costly NVIDIA GPUs. This shift not only aims to reduce operating expenses associated with data centers but also positions Apple to better serve its security-focused cloud infrastructure. As AI workloads increase, Baltra could represent a strategic advantage for Apple, allowing for more efficient and cost-effective processing that could reshape the competitive landscape in AI and cloud services.