OpenAI Picked Broadcom for Its First Custom AI Chip. The Race for Number Two Just Got Dangerous.
π OpenAI selected Broadcom to design its first custom AI inference chip, Jalapeno, solidifying a major co-development relationship in the semiconductor industry.
π° CEO Hock Tan projects $115 billion in AI revenue for fiscal 2027 and $230 billion for fiscal 2028 based on current customer roadmaps.
π Broadcom stock fell 13.74% over the past month as investors priced uncertainty regarding OpenAI's disclosed partnership with Samsung.
π§ Q3 AI semiconductor revenue surged to $16.7 billion, representing a 221% year-over-year increase with XPUs accounting for 73% of total AI revenue.
π΅ The company generated $13.66 billion in free cash flow during the quarter, demonstrating strong operational efficiency.
π Analysts maintain an average price target of $533.41 with 45 Buy or Strong Buy ratings versus only 4 Hold ratings.
ποΈ Broadcom is already designing OpenAI's third-generation XPU, indicating a long-term design relationship extending beyond the initial Jalapeno chip.
π The company retains its competitive moat in accelerator co-design and Ethernet networking, which are essential for tying AI clusters together regardless of fabrication partners.
β οΈ Investors are monitoring whether Samsung's involvement could eventually threaten Broadcom if it secures a design mandate for Jalapeno's successor.
π OpenAI is on track to deploy 1.3 gigawatts of capacity in 2027 with line of sight to over five gigawatts in 2028 using Broadcom technology.
- OpenAI selected Broadcom to design its first custom AI inference chip, Jalapeno, establishing a critical co-development relationship that could make the company one of the largest silicon buyers on the planet.
- CEO Hock Tan projects $115 billion in AI semiconductor revenue for fiscal 2027 and $230 billion for fiscal 2028, driven by deepening relationships with marquee lab customers like OpenAI.
- Q3 AI semiconductor revenue reached $16.7 billion, a massive 221% year-over-year increase, with custom XPUs now comprising 73% of total AI revenue.
- The company generated robust free cash flow of $13.66 billion in the quarter, highlighting strong operational performance and capital generation capabilities.
- Broadcom is already designing OpenAI's third-generation XPU, confirming a long-term strategic partnership that extends well beyond the initial Jalapeno launch.
- Analysts maintain an average price target of $533.41 with 45 Buy or Strong Buy ratings, reflecting strong confidence in the company's growth trajectory and market position.
- Broadcom stock dropped 13.74% over the past month as investors priced uncertainty regarding OpenAI's disclosed partnership with Samsung for next-generation chips.
- The recent disclosure that OpenAI is working with Samsung on next-gen chips has created investor concern about potential displacement, even though Samsung's specific role remains unspecified.