马斯克xAI自研推理芯片曝光！代号X1、台积电3纳米工艺、明年就量产

Core Viewpoint - xAI, founded by Elon Musk, is developing its own inference chip, codenamed X1, using TSMC's 3nm process, with mass production expected in Q3 2026, starting with 300,000 units [1][2]. Group 1: xAI's Chip Development - xAI has been facing a "chip shortage" and plans to raise $12 billion to purchase NVIDIA chips [2]. - The goal is to achieve a computing power equivalent to 50 million H100 chips within five years, significantly more than the 100,000 H100 chips in the world's strongest AI cluster [3][5]. - The move to self-develop chips is seen as a necessary step to meet ambitious targets and reduce reliance on suppliers like NVIDIA and AMD [6][7]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Other major tech companies, including Google, Meta, and OpenAI, are also pursuing self-developed chips, indicating a trend in the industry [8][24]. - OpenAI is reportedly working with Broadcom on a custom AI inference chip, expected to be produced in 2026, which mirrors xAI's strategy [21][22]. - xAI's establishment of an office in Seattle is viewed as a strategic move to compete directly with other AI firms already present in the area [14][18]. Group 3: Tesla's Chip Initiatives - Tesla is also developing its own inference chips, with recent updates indicating a focus on the AI5 and AI6 chips, which will support Tesla's AI and autonomous driving efforts [26][34]. - The AI5 chip is positioned as a transitional chip, while the AI6 is intended to be the core of Tesla's future AI ecosystem, with production handled by TSMC and Samsung respectively [34][35]. - The shift from a dual-chip strategy to a single-chip focus reflects a commitment to enhancing chip performance and efficiency [31][33].