Given the computing needs for OpenAI to run its platforms, the company has been making deals with chip players to improve its infrastructure and data center operations. Now, OpenAI has announced a partnership with Broadcom, which will help the company develop 10 gigawatts of custom AI accelerators.
This multi-year partnership enables OpenAI and Broadcom to deliver accelerator and network systems for next-generation AI clusters. The main highlight here is that OpenAI will design the accelerators and systems, utilizing its learnings on developing frontier models, and translate directly into the hardware design of the chips.
These new systems and chips, which OpenAI calls “AI accelerators and systems,” will be developed, scaled completely with Ethernet and other connectivity solutions from Broadcom, and deployed by Broadcom across OpenAI’s facilities and partner data centers.
These massive AI accelerators and systems will consume a total power of 10 gigawatts. The racks include Broadcom’s end-to-end portfolio of Ethernet, PCIe, and optical connectivity solutions.
According to Charlie Kawwas, Ph. D., President of the Semiconductor Solutions Group for Broadcom, these systems will set new industry benchmarks for the design and deployment of open, scalable, and power-efficient AI clusters.
Timelines for Deployment
Broadcom plans to deploy racks of AI accelerators and network systems starting in the second half of 2026, aiming for completion by the end of 2029.
Regarding the partnership, Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, said,
Partnering with Broadcom is a critical step in building the infrastructure needed to unlock AI’s potential and deliver real benefits for people and businesses,” “Developing our own accelerators adds to the broader ecosystem of partners all building the capacity required to push the frontier of AI to provide benefits to all humanity.
Hock Tan, President and CEO of Broadcom, said,
Broadcom’s collaboration with OpenAI signifies a pivotal moment in the pursuit of artificial general intelligence,” “OpenAI has been in the forefront of the AI revolution since the ChatGPT moment, and we are thrilled to co-develop and deploy 10 gigawatts of next generation accelerators and network systems to pave the way for the future of AI.
Charlie Kawwas, Ph. D., President of the Semiconductor Solutions Group for Broadcom, said,
Our partnership with OpenAI continues to set new industry benchmarks for the design and deployment of open, scalable and power-efficient AI clusters. Custom accelerators combine remarkably well with standards-based Ethernet scale-up and scale-out networking solutions to provide cost and performance optimized next generation AI infrastructure. The racks include Broadcom’s end-to-end portfolio of Ethernet, PCIe and optical connectivity solutions, reaffirming our AI infrastructure portfolio leadership.