AheadComputing Secures $21.5M, Amazon Expands in Oregon, Shell Predicts AI Oil Demand Surge - Silicon Brief #6

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In this edition of Silicon Brief, we're diving into the latest developments in AI chips and data centers. AheadComputing has successfully raised $21.5 million to further its microprocessor development, while Navitas Semiconductor is set to present its GaN and SiC innovations at the upcoming APEC 2025. Meanwhile, Lam Research has launched new tools aimed at enhancing AI chip production, and Apple is planning to build an AI server factory in Texas.

On the data center front, Amazon is expanding its operations in Oregon, and Alibaba has opened its first data center in Mexico. Additionally, Fluidstack is seeking $200 million to develop an AI supercomputer in France, and Iron Mountain is planning a new data center in the Netherlands. These developments highlight the ongoing growth and investment in AI infrastructure across the globe.

Shell forecasts a significant increase in oil demand driven by AI technologies by the 2030s, as detailed in its 2025 Energy Security Scenarios report. Soluna Holdings, Inc. has completed the planning phase for Project Kati with ERCOT, aiming to provide 166 MW for Bitcoin hosting and AI. Krambu and Elkhorn have joined forces to enhance cooling systems for AI and high-performance computing using Elkhorn's water-based hydrovaporization technology. Two environmental groups have filed motions to block Entergy's plan to build gas power plants for Meta's proposed AI data center in Louisiana. DeepCoolAI and Cisco have announced a partnership to develop liquid cooling solutions for AI data centers. Bloom Energy has expanded its power agreement with Equinix, increasing their collaboration to over 100MW of electricity capacity. CERAFILTEC and xAI are collaborating to build a ceramic membrane bioreactor to recycle wastewater for cooling xAI's supercomputing data center. Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, is planning to construct an $80 million wastewater treatment plant in Memphis, Tennessee. Mercurity Fintech Holding Inc. has established Aifinity Base Limited in Hong Kong to produce advanced liquid cooling panels for AI data centers.

Nota AI has teamed up with Qualcomm Technologies to enhance AI model optimization on Qualcomm processors using its NetsPresso® platform. Google has launched its A4X virtual machines powered by Nvidia's GB200 NVL72, aimed at enhancing large-scale AI workload capabilities. HKT has launched Asia's first 800 Gbps2 wide area network solution, the AI Superhighway, aimed at enterprises in Hong Kong. Hyperlume, based in Ottawa, Canada, is working on microLED technology to enhance chip-to-chip communication efficiency and speed in data centers. Corero Network Security has expanded its partnership with a leading data center provider to improve DDoS protection services for an AI company in the Middle East. OpenAI plans to move its computing power source from Microsoft to SoftBank, aiming for 75% capacity from the Stargate project by 2030. Accenture has invested in Voltron Data to enhance GPU technology for large-scale data processing. STMicroelectronics has revealed new silicon photonics and BiCMOS technologies to improve optical interconnects in datacenters and AI clusters.

Infineon receives €920 million from the European Commission for a new chip plant in Dresden, Germany, focusing on power technologies and integrated circuits. The IRS acquires an Nvidia DGX B200 SuperPOD to boost its Compliance Data Warehouse project. Microsoft will invest $704 million in Poland to enhance AI infrastructure and cybersecurity by 2026. The Office for Nuclear Regulation presents its AI regulatory sandbox at the Dubai Summit for small modular reactors. Everstar raises $4 million to develop its AI platform, Gordian, for nuclear compliance.

Amazon Web Services is expanding its data center operations in Oregon by acquiring 400 acres in Arlington, with development contingent on permits and infrastructure setup. QuadReal Property Group and T5 Data Centers are investing to expand their platform to $8 billion, targeting 5 GW capacity in key U.S. markets. Alibaba Cloud has launched its first data center in Mexico City, marking its entry into the Latin American market.

AheadComputing has secured $21.5 million in seed funding to develop a new microprocessor architecture aimed at improving general-purpose computing performance, particularly for AI workloads. The Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology in Oman has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with AONH Private Holdings to develop advanced AI semiconductor chips in the Salalah Free Zone. Navitas Semiconductor will showcase its latest advancements in gallium nitride (GaN) and silicon carbide (SiC) technologies at the APEC 2025 conference, focusing on AI, EV, and mobile applications.