Google Preparing to Partner with Taiwan's MediaTek on Next AI chip, Information Reports

A signage for Google is displayed near their office in Beijing, China, 04 February 2025. (EPA)
A signage for Google is displayed near their office in Beijing, China, 04 February 2025. (EPA)
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Google Preparing to Partner with Taiwan's MediaTek on Next AI chip, Information Reports

A signage for Google is displayed near their office in Beijing, China, 04 February 2025. (EPA)
A signage for Google is displayed near their office in Beijing, China, 04 February 2025. (EPA)

Alphabet's Google is preparing to partner with Taiwan's MediaTek on the next version of its AI chips, Tensor Processing Units, that will be made next year, the Information reported on Monday, citing people involved in the project.

However, Google has not cut ties with Broadcom, the chip designer it has worked with exclusively on the AI chips over the past several years, the report said, citing an employee at the San Jose-based company.

Like Nvidia,. Google also designs its own AI server chips, which it uses for internal research and development and also rents out to cloud customers, Reuters reported.

This approach gives Google a competitive edge in the AI race by reducing its reliance on Nvidia, even as rivals like Microsoft-backed OpenAI and Meta Platforms have seen a surge in demand for Nvidia chips.

Late last year, Google rolled out its sixth-generation TPU in a bid to give itself and its Cloud customers an alternative to Nvidia's chips, which are the most sought-after processors in the industry.

Google chose MediaTek partly because the Taiwanese firm has a strong relationship with TSMC and charges Google less per chip compared to Broadcom, the Information report added.

Google spent between $6 billion and $9 billion on TPUs last year, according to research firm Omdia, based on Broadcom's target for AI semiconductor revenue last year.



Tesla Recalls Most Cybertrucks due to Trim Detaching from Vehicle

A person sits inside a Tesla Cybertruck at a Tesla showroom in New York City, US, January 2, 2025. REUTERS/Adam Gray/File Photo
A person sits inside a Tesla Cybertruck at a Tesla showroom in New York City, US, January 2, 2025. REUTERS/Adam Gray/File Photo
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Tesla Recalls Most Cybertrucks due to Trim Detaching from Vehicle

A person sits inside a Tesla Cybertruck at a Tesla showroom in New York City, US, January 2, 2025. REUTERS/Adam Gray/File Photo
A person sits inside a Tesla Cybertruck at a Tesla showroom in New York City, US, January 2, 2025. REUTERS/Adam Gray/File Photo

Tesla said Thursday it is recalling nearly all Cybertrucks in the United States to fix an exterior panel that could detach while driving, the latest in a series of call-backs for the pickup truck.

The recall covers just over 46,000 vehicles built from November 2023 through Feb. 27 of this year, Tesla said in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The recall could prove to be a setback for Tesla, whose stock has lost about half its value this year as the EV automaker grapples with rising competition, an aging lineup, and backlash against CEO Elon Musk's controversial role overseeing cuts to federal spending in the Trump White House, Reuters reported.

The recall addresses risks a stainless-steel exterior trim panel can detach from the vehicle, making it a road hazard boosting the risk of a crash, Tesla said. Tesla's service will replace the rail panel assembly with a new one that meets durability testing requirements, the automaker said.

On Feb. 21, NHTSA notified Tesla of a vehicle owner that alleged a rail panel detachment.

Tesla said a detached rail panel may create a detectable noise inside the cabin or customers may observe the panel coming loose or separating from the vehicle.

Tesla said it is aware of 151 warranty claims that may be related to the recall issue, but no collisions or injuries.

While Tesla does not break out deliveries of its Cybertrucks, the recalled vehicles represent a vast majority of the Cybertruck vehicles on the road, based on analyst estimates.

Demand for the unconventional EV pickup has already shown signs of weakness toward the end of last year, following several delays.

Shares of the EV maker fell 1.4% in premarket trading.

Tesla shares, initially boosted post-election due to Musk's relationship with US President Donald Trump, have fallen nearly 42% this year.

Analysts have pointed to a change in sentiment toward the EV maker from existing customers and potential new buyers, as reactions toward the brand such as protests at Tesla stores across the US and sales boycotts emerge.

Tesla accounts for a large portion of recalled vehicles in the US. In 2024, Tesla topped the list for US recalls with its vehicles accounting for 5.1 million call-backs, according to recall management firm BizzyCar. However, most issues for the brand's cars were usually resolved with over-the-air software updates.

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