Google and Nvidia are reportedly evaluating Intel as a possible backup manufacturer for some of their chips, according to a report from The Information. The discussions appear to be driven by concern about depending too heavily on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., or TSMC, which has become the dominant producer for many advanced semiconductors.
The reported interest does not mean either company is moving away from TSMC. Rather, the idea appears to be about adding resilience to supply chains that have become increasingly important as demand for AI hardware has surged. Both Google and Nvidia rely on a steady flow of advanced chips to support cloud services, data centers and AI products.
TSMC remains one of the most important foundries in the world, and its manufacturing capabilities are central to the chip strategies of many leading technology companies. But the concentration of production among a small number of suppliers has prompted large customers to consider alternatives or secondary options in case of disruptions, capacity limits or geopolitical risks.
Intel has been working to expand its contract manufacturing business as part of a broader effort to compete more directly with TSMC and Samsung in advanced chip production. A possible role as a fallback supplier for major customers such as Google and Nvidia would be a notable signal that Intel’s foundry push is gaining traction, even if only incrementally.
For Google, the reported talks fit with its broader investment in custom silicon. The company designs its own processors for products and internal infrastructure, including chips used in AI and cloud computing. Nvidia, meanwhile, is the leading supplier of AI accelerators and relies on manufacturing partners to produce its most advanced chips at scale.
Adding a second source of supply could help both companies reduce the risk of production bottlenecks. In the semiconductor industry, even short disruptions can have outsized effects because chip fabrication is complex, expensive and often booked well in advance. Companies that want more predictable access to manufacturing capacity are increasingly looking beyond a single foundry relationship.
Still, using Intel as a backup would likely take time. Advanced chip manufacturing requires detailed technical coordination, and new production relationships often involve long qualification periods before a chip can be made commercially at scale. The report does not indicate that any agreement has been finalized.
The potential interest also underscores how intense competition has become in AI-related hardware. Demand for chips used in training and running large models has remained strong, making supply assurance a strategic priority for the biggest buyers. For companies in that position, having more than one manufacturing option can be as important as the chips themselves.
The Information’s report adds to a growing picture of tech firms seeking greater flexibility in how they source semiconductors. While TSMC remains central to that ecosystem, Intel’s possible role as a backup supplier suggests major customers may be increasingly open to diversifying where their most important chips are made.