Broadcom and Meta Trigger $125 Million AI Chip Race

Meta Platforms META, Broadcom AVGO and three other chip industry partners said they will help set up a $125 million semiconductor research hub at UCLA, aiming to speed work on AI-focused chips and strengthen the U.S. supply chain.

The five-year commitment also includes Applied Materials AMAT, GlobalFoundries GFS and Synopsys (SNPS). UCLA said the hub will connect chip design, software, manufacturing, equipment and materials research under one program.

Meta said the effort is meant to support energy-efficient AI hardware, which is drawing more attention as computing needs rise. The university said the project is intended to help build a longer-term collaboration between academia and industry.

Applied Materials Chief Executive Gary Dickerson said in a statement that closer ties between companies and universities matter more as semiconductors become more complex and AI development moves faster. The hub is also expected to support workforce training in a field tied to economic growth and…