Microsoft launched its self-developed AI chip Maia 300, with the key small chip using TSMC's 2-nanometer technology

According to a report by Central News Agency citing Reuters, Microsoft announced the launch of its third-generation self-developed AI chip, Maia 300, with plans to deploy over 1 million units next year to support internal AI services. The small chip responsible for key computing functions uses TSMC's 2-nanometer process. The Maia 300 can handle code writing and perform complex business tasks on behalf of users. The previous generation of chips has been used to run Microsoft's internal AI models and the OpenAI models provided through Microsoft Azure cloud computing services.

Microsoft is taking a different technological approach compared to NVIDIA. The NVIDIA AI accelerator uses a large computing chip surrounded by high-bandwidth memory chips; the Maia 300 core processing unit is composed of small chips, with the small chips responsible for key computing functions using TSMC's 2-nanometer process, while other small chips use the lower-cost 3-nanometer process to handle data transmission out of the processor and transfer data to other locations within the system.

The Maia 300 will be installed in cabinets, with each cabinet accommodating 96 chips and consuming about 167 kW of power. In contrast, NVIDIA's latest GB300 AI server cabinet is configured with 72 GPUs and consumes about 142 kW of power. Microsoft stated that it plans to deploy the Maia 300 on a large scale starting next year, reaching several gigawatts. Microsoft previously indicated that it expects its capital expenditures to exceed $175 billion this year.