NVIDIA is reportedly shifting its focus towards creating “custom chips,” as the tech giant brings onboard several Taiwanese engineers to dive into this growing segment.
### NVIDIA Seems to Be Embracing ASIC Manufacturing with a New Taiwan R&D Center, Fostering Local Talent Growth
Every now and then, we hear about NVIDIA venturing into the realm of customized chips, known as ASICs. This trend is particularly prevalent as many tech companies strive to build their own AI computing power, adapted to their unique requirements. As it stands, NVIDIA, also known as Team Green, offers open-architecture AI products like the Blackwell and Hopper series. However, when it comes to crafting bespoke solutions for their clients, they’re still on the hunt. According to a report from ChinaTimes, NVIDIA’s anticipated R&D center in Taiwan will zero in on the development of ASIC solutions. In line with this, the company has begun a hiring spree for local engineers.
The report goes on to mention that while NVIDIA has future aspirations to set up ASIC production lines, their current mission is to assemble a strong team of employees. They’ve accelerated their hiring efforts to secure the crème de la crème of Taiwanese talent, ensuring competitors don’t snatch them up. With major IC design firms like MediaTek also eager to recruit top-tier employees, NVIDIA is pulling out all the stops to attract local talent.
Elsewhere, industry giants like Google, Amazon, and Apple are rushing to develop their own custom AI chips to lessen their dependence on NVIDIA, crafting solutions fine-tuned to their needs. This has seemingly nudged Team Green into the custom chip arena. Given NVIDIA’s standing among Taiwan’s ASIC manufacturers, they stand a good chance of achieving substantial sales success in this niche market.
Rumor has it that NVIDIA is also working on custom chips for AI PCs through a partnership with MediaTek, meaning their ambitions aren’t limited to just the AI sector. Plus, they’re no strangers to the game, given their Tegra SoC powers the Nintendo Switch. Custom AI chips are shaping up to be the next big wave in the computing industry, potentially enabling Team Green to stymie other companies from crafting their proprietary chips.
