Intel has signed up to join SpaceX and Tesla in a new U.S. semiconductor factory project in Texas. The company said it will help accelerate the production of ultra-high-performance chips for AI and robotics, but details remain thin on the ground.
In March, Elon Musk announced plans to develop advanced chips for various applications, including AI compute, satellites, and autonomous vehicles. Building a chip factory is no easy task—costing billions and requiring years of investment—but Intel’s involvement might just make it possible.
Intel has been searching for large customers to support its foundry business and now has two high-profile partners in SpaceX and Tesla. However, some investors may be skeptical about the unique engineering approach Terafab plans to take, given that SpaceX and Tesla have no experience in semiconductor manufacturing.
The move could signal a significant shift in Intel’s strategy as it competes with rivals like Nvidia and AMD. Shares of Intel rose more than 3% on the news, showing investor confidence despite the lack of concrete details.
