According to an exclusive report by Reuters on July 10, internal memos from Meta show that the next-generation self-developed AI chip "Iris" is expected to begin production in September this year, designed in collaboration with Broadcom and manufactured by TSMC. Iris is part of Meta's self-developed chip project (MTIA), aimed at improving AI functionalities on Facebook and Instagram.
Reuters: Iris AI Chip to Start Production in September, Designed by Broadcom, Manufactured by TSMC
Citing an internal Meta memo, Reuters reports that the data center chip codenamed "Iris" is scheduled for mass production starting September 2026, with Broadcom collaborating on design and TSMC handling manufacturing. The memo states that testing of the Iris chip took only six weeks with no major issues found, injecting positive momentum into Meta's previously sluggish self-development plans.
Iris is part of Meta's MTIA (training and inference accelerators) self-developed chip project, intended to reduce reliance on chip suppliers like Nvidia and AMD, supplementing Meta's large GPU procurement.
Meta revealed in March this year four MTIA self-developed chips, including Iris, with plans to launch a new chip every six months before 2027. Forrester Vice President Mike Gualtieri stated that self-developed chips are "the only way to stay competitive in AI model costs in the future."
Meta AI Infrastructure Investment: $145 billion this year, 14 GW computing power target by 2027
According to Reuters, Meta plans to spend up to $145 billion on AI infrastructure this year; deployment schedule includes:
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First half of 2026: Added 1 GW
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By the end of 2026: An additional 5.5 GW, totaling 7 GW for the year
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2027 goal: Reach 14 GW (twice the amount of this year)
To expand its infrastructure, Meta has signed multiple long-term supply agreements: memory chips from Samsung Korea, flash memory from SanDisk in the US, and fiber optic equipment from Sumitomo Electric in Japan. Morgan Stanley analysts pointed out that sharp increases in chip prices have made "chip inflation" a macroeconomic concern.
Korean media reports third-generation chips may shift to Samsung's 2nm process
According to South Korean media outlet Seoul Economic Daily on July 3, industry sources revealed that Meta is advancing chip design and production cooperation with Samsung Electronics involving over 10 trillion Korean won. While Meta's first two generations of self-developed AI chips, MTIA, have been outsourced to TSMC, starting with the third-generation chip announced in 2026, Meta may switch to Samsung, using its most advanced 2nm process for mass production.
This report conflicts with Reuters' statement that the Iris chips, starting production in September, will still be manufactured by TSMC. Additionally, Anthropic is also reportedly evaluating developing self-made chips using Samsung's 2nm process. Samsung's official response to these rumors was, "Nothing has been confirmed at this time."
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Meta's Iris AI chip start production, and which companies are manufacturing it?
According to Reuters citing an internal Meta memo, the Iris chip is expected to start production in September 2026, designed in collaboration with Broadcom and manufactured by TSMC. Testing took only six weeks with no major issues found.
What is Meta's computing power target for 2027, and how much is the investment this year?
Reuters reports that Meta plans to reach 14 GW of computing power by 2027, double this year's capacity. The company intends to invest up to $145 billion in AI infrastructure this year, a significant portion among tech giants.
How does the Korean media report that Meta's chips may be manufactured by Samsung, conflicting with Reuters' statement?
According to Seoul Economic Daily on July 3, industry sources suggest Meta might switch to Samsung's 2nm process starting from the third-generation chip. However, Reuters states that the Iris chips produced in September will still be outsourced to TSMC. The two reports conflict, and Samsung's official response is, "Nothing has been confirmed at this time."
