Apple Developing Enterprise AI Server with M8 Ultra Chips

Apple is developing an enterprise AI server that will utilize its own M8 Ultra chips, projected to launch in 2029. The server is designed specifically for AI inference, enabling the execution of already-trained models. It will be available in two configurations, featuring either two or four M8 Ultra chips.

This initiative follows a year of backing from John Ternus, Apple's CEO, who has been a proponent of the project. The enterprise AI server aims to compete in the growing AI infrastructure market, where companies like OpenAI and Anthropic have been purchasing Mac devices, indicating a demand for robust AI capabilities.

In the last quarter, Apple's Mac revenue increased by 29%, reaching $10.4 billion, highlighting the company's strong position in the hardware market. However, the server's launch timeline is uncertain, as it may proceed without Nvidia's NVLink Fusion technology, which has been suggested as a potential component. The project could also face cancellation before its expected release.

This development aligns with Apple's broader strategy to enhance its hardware offerings for AI applications, following previous reports on AI advancements within the company.