Apple's AI Servers "Made in USA" Completed
Apple had already announced that it would manufacture AI technology for internal use in Houston. The first devices are now said to be ready.
Apple logo on an iPhone in front of a US flag: Promised to build more in America.
(Image: Mijansk786 / Shutterstock)
While an iPhone manufactured in America will likely remain a dream of the Trump administration, Apple is at least relocating smaller production parts to the USA. The project for AI servers intended for internal use, which are to be “made in Texas,” has now been successfully completed, reports the US business broadcaster Fox Business. According to the report, the devices are rolling off the production line even ahead of schedule, as announced by Apple's newly crowned Chief Operating Officer (COO), Sabih Khan. “We are very pleased that we can now deliver state-of-the-art servers made in America from our Houston location.”
Production Ahead of Schedule
The devices will be delivered to Apple's own data centers to enable the Private Cloud Compute function (PCC). Functions of the AI system Apple Intelligence are sent to Apple's servers, but processed there in a privacy-friendly manner. Apple currently has no plans to supply the specialized hardware to other companies. Apart from the Mac Pro and Mac Studio workstations, the company has nothing else in its program here after the Xserve was discontinued in 2011.
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Khan emphasized that the rollout of AI server manufacturing is part of Apple's “600 billion dollar commitment to the United States.” The servers play a “central role” for Apple Intelligence. It is planned to further expand production in the coming year. “Our teams have done a great job completing the work on the new factory in Houston ahead of schedule.”
Factory Likely by Foxconn
Apple is said to have cooperated with local construction companies to have the factory built. However, the company does not operate the facility itself but has outsourced it to a manufacturer, as is known from China, Vietnam, or India. According to the Houston Chronicle, this is Foxconn. Apple itself operates very few manufacturing sites; for example, certain iMacs were configured in Ireland as long as they were built-to-order devices.
Little is known about the exact specifications of the devices. However, it is clear that they work with current Apple Silicon chips. Apple is said to have commissioned Foxconn with M4 machines. In addition to the US factories, Apple also plans to qualify more employees who can work at such locations. Particularly in demand are machine setters and toolmakers, who face a massive shortage of young talent in the USA.
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