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Meta's AI Chip 'Iris' to Start Mass Production in September, Partnering with Broadcom and TSMC

Meta is making a bold move in the AI hardware race. The company has teamed up with Broadcom and TSMC to develop its own data center processor, codenamed "Iris," which is slated to begin mass production in September 2026. This chip is part of Meta's custom-built infrastructure project, MTIA, and has already passed initial vulnerability testing within six weeks.

Iris is designed to supercharge the core content ranking, recommendation systems, and generative algorithms that power Facebook and Instagram. By tailoring the hardware to its specific needs, Meta hopes to cut data center costs and reduce its dependence on third-party GPUs from companies like NVIDIA and AMD.

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In the face of global hardware shortages and what some call "chip inflation," Meta has also locked in long-term supply agreements with industry giants such as Samsung Electronics, SanDisk, and Sumitomo Electric. These deals are meant to secure a stable supply chain for its ambitious computing power expansion. Meta plans to deploy about 7 gigawatts of computing capacity by the end of 2026, with plans to double that to 14 gigawatts by 2027. To support this, the company's infrastructure capital expenditure for 2026 is expected to reach a staggering $14.5 billion.

The production of Iris marks a key turning point for Meta in the trillion-dollar computing power arms race among tech giants. While Iris currently serves as a complement rather than a full replacement for existing NVIDIA and AMD GPUs, Meta's aggressive six-month development cycle will give it greater hardware deployment autonomy. On an industry level, this move not only helps alleviate supply chain bottlenecks but also allows Meta to build a more independent AI ecosystem, free from external software and hardware constraints.

Key Points

  • Meta's custom AI chip, Iris, will enter mass production in September 2026.
  • The chip is developed in collaboration with Broadcom and TSMC.
  • Iris aims to optimize Facebook and Instagram's ranking and recommendation systems.
  • Meta has secured long-term supply contracts with Samsung, SanDisk, and Sumitomo Electric.
  • The company plans to double its computing capacity to 14 gigawatts by 2027.