Microsoft’s highly anticipated Maia AI chip, code-named Braga, is facing significant delays. Mass production is now slated for 2026, pushing back the original 2025 target by at least six months. Sources indicate design changes and staffing limitations contributed to the setback.
Furthermore, even when released, the Braga chip is expected to underperform Nvidia’s Blackwell chip, launched in late 2023. This performance gap is a blow to Microsoft’s ambitions to rival Nvidia’s dominance in the AI chip market.
The delay also means Microsoft will be unable to deploy Braga in its data centers as initially planned for this year, impacting their internal AI infrastructure development. This delay highlights the challenges involved in creating cutting-edge AI hardware and maintaining a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
