Meta Platform is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire FuriosaAI, a South Korean startup specializing in AI inference chips.
According to Forbes, this potential acquisition aligns with Meta’s strategy to enhance its AI hardware capabilities and reduce reliance on external suppliers like Nvidia.
Founded in 2017 by former Samsung and AMD engineer June Paik, FuriosaAI has developed the RNGD chip, which claims a 100% power efficiency advantage over Nvidia’s H100 GPUs. The company has raised approximately $115 million in venture funding to date.
FuriosaAI has also hinted at collaborations with companies in the U.S., Japan, and India, though no official details have been disclosed. If Meta completes the acquisition, it would gain access to FuriosaAI’s expertise and technology, potentially giving the social media giant a competitive edge in AI hardware development.
This move is part of Meta’s broader strategy to develop proprietary AI hardware solutions. The company has been working with Broadcom to create a family of custom AI chips known as the Meta Training and Inference Accelerator (MTIA), aiming to optimize performance and reduce AI-related costs. Meta plans to invest up to $65 billion this year in AI development and infrastructure, including the construction of new data centers.
By acquiring FuriosaAI, Meta aims to strengthen its in-house AI chip development capabilities, potentially reducing its dependence on Nvidia’s GPUs and enhancing its competitiveness in the rapidly evolving AI industry.
The AI industry
The AI industry is currently dominated by Nvidia, whose GPUs power many of the world’s most advanced AI systems. However, demand for AI hardware has surged, leading major tech firms like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft to develop their own chips.
If Meta successfully acquires FuriosaAI, it would join this growing list of companies investing heavily in proprietary AI hardware.
Neither Meta nor FuriosaAI has officially commented on the acquisition talks. However, if the deal is finalized, it could reshape the AI chip landscape, further intensifying competition among tech giants.
