Chip designers Nvidia and Broadcom are conducting manufacturing tests using Intel’s advanced 18A process, according to sources familiar with the matter. The tests are part of an effort by both companies to evaluate whether Intel’s technology can meet the demanding requirements for advanced artificia
The evaluations, which are not being conducted on complete chip designs but rather on specific components, could eventually lead to manufacturing contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars for Intel. In addition to Nvidia and Broadcom, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is also reportedly assessing whether the 18A process is suitable for its needs, although it remains unclear if AMD has begun similar tests.
An Intel spokesperson said, "We don't comment on specific customers but continue to see strong interest and engagement on Intel 18A across our ecosystem." The 18A process, which has been developed over several years, is positioned to compete with similar technologies from Taiwan’s TSMC, a dominant player in the global semiconductor market.
The tests, which are expected to continue over the coming months, are designed to gauge the behavior and capabilities of the 18A process. Chip designers typically conduct these early evaluations to resolve any technical issues before committing to high-volume production. However, successful tests do not guarantee that Intel will secure new manufacturing business, especially in light of past challenges; previous Broadcom tests reportedly disappointed some of its executives and engineers.
Intel’s 18A process has experienced delays, with supplier documents and sources indicating that the timeline has been pushed back an additional six months. The delay stems from the need to qualify critical intellectual property for the process—an essential step for ensuring that small and mid-size chip designers can successfully use the technology. Without the necessary intellectual property guarantees, potential customers may be unable to produce chips on the 18A process until at least mid-2026.
In related developments, Intel has signed deals with companies including Microsoft and Amazon to produce chips using the 18A process, though details about the specific applications and manufacturing volumes remain scarce.
Industry observers note that many chip designers are closely monitoring Intel’s foundry progress, as the company’s success in this area is central to its strategy to revitalize its contract manufacturing business. Synopsys CEO Sassine Ghazi remarked, "Right now, there are a lot of customers waiting—I'm talking foundry customers—to see the state of Intel. Will I commit? Will I not?" Intel, which is striving to reverse a significant decline in its foundry revenue, projects its foundry business could generate approximately $16.47 billion in revenue in 2025, though nearly all of that comes from manufacturing its own chips.
As the tests proceed, the industry will be watching closely to determine if Intel’s 18A process can deliver the performance and reliability required to attract new business, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape in advanced semiconductor manufacturing.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang forecasted a rapid arrival of humanoid robots in manufacturing, stating that widespread use in factory settings is likely within the next few years.
The Nvidia’s annual software developer conference this week, CEO Jensen Huang is set to defend the company’s leading position in the AI chip market amid growing competition and cost pressures on its largest customers.
During the latest earnings call, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reiterated his bullish outlook for the company, dismissing concerns that DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning model might undercut Nvidia’s sales.
US tech giant Nvidia reported an 80% year-on-year increase in net income for the last quarter of fiscal 2025, with earnings climbing to $22.1 billion - an increase of $9.8 billion compared to the same period last year.
Santa Clara, CA, February 17, 2025 – Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang dismissed market concerns over DeepSeek’s recent release of its R1 open source reasoning model, arguing that the technological advancement will ultimately benefit the broader AI ecosystem rather than harm Nvidia’s business.
U.S. President Donald Trump will personally attend a key meeting with Japanese trade officials on Wednesday, signaling his direct involvement in negotiations stemming from his recent wave of tariffs on global imports.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has postponed the next presidential election by several months, fueling speculation about his intention to seek a second term. The move allows him to complete his full six-year mandate and marks a potential shift toward greater political consolidation.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 10th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A quiet Thursday afternoon at St. Peter’s Basilica turned into something extraordinary, as visitors caught a rare glimpse of Pope Francis — not in his familiar white papal robes, but dressed in black trousers and a striped blanket.
In a dramatic about-face, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day pause on newly implemented tariffs for dozens of countries — a move that eased market turmoil but further escalated tensions with China.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
A former Meta executive, Sarah Wynn-Williams, testified before U.S. senators on Wednesday, alleging that the company compromised national security to build a lucrative business in China.
The EU is preparing to rule on Apple and Meta’s alleged breaches of the Digital Markets Act, potentially issuing fines as it seeks to curb Big Tech’s dominance and reinforce fair competition across the digital landscape.
US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden are pressing Google and Microsoft for details on their AI partnerships, raising concerns that such deals may stifle competition, breach antitrust laws, and limit innovation in the fast-growing AI sector.
A Russian Soyuz spacecraft carrying an American astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts blasted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday for the International Space Station (ISS), Russia's Roscosmos space agency said.
Meta Platforms has unveiled the latest iteration of its large language model, introducing two new versions—Llama 4 Scout and Llama 4 Maverick—on Saturday.
U.S. President Donald Trump will personally attend a key meeting with Japanese trade officials on Wednesday, signaling his direct involvement in negotiations stemming from his recent wave of tariffs on global imports.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has postponed the next presidential election by several months, fueling speculation about his intention to seek a second term. The move allows him to complete his full six-year mandate and marks a potential shift toward greater political consolidation.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
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