Google may collaborate with MediaTek on its upcoming AI chip. What we know so far

Google is teaming up with Taiwan's MediaTek to develop the next generation of its AI chips, Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), slated for release next year, according to a report by The Information on Monday. This partnership signals a shift in Google's chip strategy, though the company will continue its collaboration with Broadcom, which has been its exclusive AI chip development partner in recent years.

Google's decision to collaborate with MediaTek may be driven by the company's lower per-chip costs compared to Broadcom, as well as its strong partnership with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), according to The Information.

Alongside its work with MediaTek, Google also designs its own AI server chips, which support internal research and development while being offered to cloud customers. This approach allows Google to stay competitive in the AI market by reducing its dependence on Nvidia, the industry's dominant player. This shift is particularly crucial as rivals like OpenAI and Meta face soaring demand for Nvidia chips.


Google introduced its sixth-generation TPU late last year, providing an alternative to Nvidia chips for both itself and its Cloud customers. The decision to partner with MediaTek is reportedly driven by its strong collaboration with TSMC, a leading chip manufacturer, and its ability to offer more cost-effective chips compared to Broadcom.
Research firm Omdia estimates that Google spent between $6 billion and $9 billion on TPUs last year, based on Broadcom's AI semiconductor revenue targets.

The India Picture - Is RCS coming here?

Google is reportedly in talks with Apple to bring Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging to Indian users this year. This could extend Apple’s exclusive blue bubble messaging to Android devices, disrupting India’s business communication landscape, which has relied on SMS while WhatsApp gains traction.

Apple may collaborate with Google in India, following Google's existing partnerships with Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio. The backend integration with telecom providers is unlikely to affect user experience, as RCS messages will still work over mobile data or Wi-Fi. However, this move could significantly impact A2P (application-to-person) messaging, widely used by banks and e-commerce platforms for official communications.