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Microsoft rolls out next generation of its AI chips, takes aim at Nvidia’s software

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Microsoft has unveiled the second generation of its in-house artificial intelligence chip, Maia 200, alongside new software tools designed to challenge Nvidia’s dominance among AI developers. The chip is going live this week at a Microsoft data center in Iowa, with a second deployment planned in Arizona, marking a key step in the company’s effort to reduce reliance on external chip suppliers.

The Maia 200 follows Microsoft’s first Maia chip introduced in 2023 and arrives as major cloud providers increasingly develop their own AI hardware. Companies such as Google and Amazon Web Services, traditionally large Nvidia customers, are now rolling out custom chips that compete directly with Nvidia’s offerings. The shift reflects growing demand for tailored AI infrastructure optimized for large-scale cloud workloads.

Alongside the new chip, Microsoft announced a suite of software tools to support developers, including Triton, an open-source programming framework that performs similar functions to Nvidia’s widely used Cuda software. By strengthening its software ecosystem, Microsoft is targeting what many analysts view as Nvidia’s most significant competitive advantage.

The Maia 200 is manufactured by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company using advanced 3-nanometer technology and incorporates high-bandwidth memory. Microsoft has also emphasized the use of SRAM, a fast memory type that can improve performance for AI systems handling large volumes of user requests, a design choice increasingly favored by Nvidia’s emerging competitors.

Foxconn Sees AI Boom Driving 2026 Growth, Hints at OpenAI Collaboration

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Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer and key supplier to Apple and Nvidia, projected strong growth from artificial intelligence (AI) demand heading into 2026 — and teased a major announcement with OpenAI next week.

Chairman Young Liu told investors on Wednesday that the AI industry was only in its early stages and would soon become a central driver of global technology growth.
“Judging from what we see now, I am very optimistic about the AI market next year,” Liu said during the company’s quarterly earnings call. “The development of AI is still just beginning.”

Foxconn’s cloud and networking division, which includes AI server manufacturing, has now surpassed its consumer electronics segment — which includes iPhones — for the second consecutive quarter.

The company expects significant year-on-year revenue growth in the fourth quarter, with AI server sales continuing to rise quarter-on-quarter. Third-quarter profit jumped 17% to T$57.67 billion ($1.89 billion), beating analyst expectations.

Liu also hinted at an OpenAI-related announcement to be revealed during Foxconn’s annual Tech Day in Taipei next week, but declined to provide further details. OpenAI has not yet commented on the matter.

Foxconn — formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry — has benefited from a global data center expansion led by Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, as they ramp up investments in AI infrastructure.

Beyond AI, Foxconn continues to invest in electric vehicles (EVs), despite recent challenges in its EV manufacturing ventures in the U.S.

So far this year, Foxconn’s shares have risen 36%, outperforming Taiwan’s broader market index, which is up 21%.

CoreWeave Cuts Revenue Forecast After Data Center Delay, Shares Drop

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CoreWeave (CRWV.O), a cloud infrastructure company backed by Nvidia, trimmed its annual revenue forecast on Monday after delays at a third-party data center partner disrupted operations, overshadowing strong quarterly results driven by soaring demand for AI computing services.

Shares fell more than 6% in extended trading, after Chief Financial Officer Nitin Agrawal forecast 2025 revenue between $5.05 billion and $5.15 billion, down from a previous estimate of $5.15 billion to $5.35 billion. Analysts had expected around $5.29 billion, according to data from LSEG.

CoreWeave said the customer impacted by the delay agreed to extend the contract’s expiration date, ensuring the total deal value remains intact, though the company did not name the client.

Despite the setback, the company posted a strong September quarter, with revenue more than doubling to $1.36 billion, beating Wall Street expectations of $1.29 billion.

CoreWeave has emerged as a major infrastructure provider for AI-driven workloads, securing high-profile contracts such as a $14 billion deal with Meta Platforms and a $6.5 billion partnership with OpenAI, both of which rely on its vast GPU-powered cloud network.

Once focused on Ethereum mining, CoreWeave has successfully repurposed its powerful GPU infrastructure to fuel the global AI cloud boom. However, its rapid growth has also exposed challenges — including rising chip prices, competition for computing capacity, and high expansion costs.

The company now expects to more than double capital spending next year, investing between $12 billion and $14 billion to meet surging demand.

CoreWeave shares have more than doubled since going public earlier this year at $40 per share, giving the firm a market capitalization above $50 billion, though its operating margin slipped to 16% in Q3 from 21% a year earlier.