# Microsoft (MSFT): Unveils Maia 300, its third-generation AI chip

> Microsoft unveiled Maia 300, its third-generation in-house AI accelerator, at the OCP Global Summit. It plans 96 chips per rack, production from…

- URL: https://centiview.com/post/microsoft-msft-unveils-maia-300-its-third-generation-ai-chip
- Published: 2026-10-14T08:30:00.000Z
- Sectors: Technology & AI
- Region: US
- Ticker: MSFT
- Sentiment (opinion, not a recommendation): neutral
- Publisher: Centiview (Persie Ltd, London)
- General information only, not financial advice

Microsoft unveiled Maia 300, its third-generation in-house AI accelerator, at the OCP Global Summit. It plans 96 chips per rack, production from 2027, and wants Maia as its main inference system. Less Nvidia reliance, but no outside testing yet.

> **Why it matters** Custom chips let cloud giants cut what they pay Nvidia and control more of the AI stack. But Maia 300 is a year away from volume use, and Microsoft says it will keep buying Nvidia and AMD hardware, so the near-term effect on suppliers is small.

> **What we verified** UPI and a Slashdot write-up of the launch agree on the Oct 12 unveiling, the third-generation label, 96 chips per rack, the 2027 start, and the plan for Maia to be the main inference system. UPI notes no third party had tested it. Performance claims are Microsoft's own and we left them out.

### Sources
- [Microsoft announces new AI chip Azure Maia 300 (UPI)](https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2026/10/12/microsoft-azure-maia-300-ai-chips-nvidia/3511791823960)
- [Microsoft Reveals Maia 300 AI Chip As It Works To Reduce Dependence On Nvidia (Slashdot)](https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/26/10/13/0443232/microsoft-reveals-maia-300-ai-chip-as-it-works-to-reduce-dependence-on-nvidia)