Meta to Deploy Four New AI Chips by 2027, Uber Partners With Zoox for Robotaxis
Key Facts
- Meta's Plan: The company intends to deploy four new generations of its in-house AI chips by the end of 2027 to support expanding AI workloads.
- Uber-Zoox Deal: Uber and Amazon's Zoox announced a multiyear partnership that will allow Uber riders to access Zoox robotaxis in Las Vegas starting this summer.
- Oracle Earnings: Oracle reported strong third-quarter sales and a positive full-year outlook driven by sustained demand for AI computing, according to verified reports.
- Context: The announcements were discussed on Bloomberg Tech on March 11, 2026, highlighting ongoing investments in custom AI hardware and autonomous mobility.
Lead paragraph
Meta Platforms Inc. plans to deploy four new generations of its in-house artificial intelligence chips by the end of 2027 as the company turns to custom silicon to help power its rapidly expanding AI workloads, according to a Bloomberg report. Separately, Uber Technologies Inc. has reached a multiyear agreement with Amazon's autonomous driving unit Zoox that will enable Uber customers to hail Zoox robotaxis in Las Vegas beginning this summer. The developments were highlighted during Bloomberg Tech on March 11, 2026, where hosts Caroline Hyde and Ed Ludlow also discussed Oracle's strong quarterly results fueled by AI demand.
Meta's Push Into Custom AI Silicon
According to Bloomberg, Meta is accelerating its development of proprietary AI chips to reduce reliance on third-party suppliers like Nvidia amid soaring demand for computing power to train and run large-scale AI models. The plan calls for rolling out four successive generations of these homegrown chips by the end of 2027.
This move aligns with a broader industry trend of major technology companies designing their own semiconductors for AI. Companies including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft have similarly invested in custom silicon to optimize performance and control costs as AI infrastructure expenses continue to climb.
The Bloomberg report notes that Meta's AI workloads are growing rapidly, likely tied to its heavy investment in generative AI features across platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, as well as its ongoing metaverse and research initiatives. Specific technical details about the chips — including performance metrics, process node technology, or power efficiency targets — were not disclosed in the available reporting.
Uber and Zoox Form Robotaxi Partnership
In a significant step for autonomous ride-hailing, Uber and Zoox announced a partnership that will integrate Zoox's purpose-built robotaxis into Uber's platform. Riders in Las Vegas will be among the first to have the option to match with a Zoox vehicle on eligible trips starting this summer, the companies said.
Zoox, acquired by Amazon in 2020, has been developing fully autonomous vehicles without steering wheels or pedals. The partnership represents a major commercial deployment for the unit and gives Uber access to advanced autonomous technology as it seeks to expand beyond traditional human-driven rides.
According to reports, the agreement is multiyear in scope. At launch, Uber riders will have the opportunity to match with a Zoox robotaxi on eligible trips in Las Vegas. Further expansion details or additional cities were not specified in initial announcements.
This collaboration comes as the autonomous vehicle sector continues to mature, with companies navigating regulatory hurdles and public acceptance. Zoox has previously conducted testing in other locations, though earlier reports focused on cities such as Phoenix and Dallas.
Oracle Benefits From AI Computing Boom
Bloomberg hosts also examined Oracle's third-quarter performance, which showed strong sales and an optimistic full-year outlook. Multiple sources confirm that Oracle beat earnings expectations, with cloud revenue growth driven by demand for AI infrastructure and related services.
The verified strength in Oracle's results reflects the continued surge in enterprise adoption of AI technologies, requiring substantial computing resources. Oracle has positioned itself as a key provider of cloud infrastructure optimized for AI workloads, partnering with major chipmakers and offering specialized services for large-scale model training and deployment.
Impact on Developers, Users, and Industry
For the AI hardware sector, Meta's commitment to four new chip generations by 2027 signals growing competition in the custom silicon market. This could potentially pressure traditional suppliers while encouraging further innovation in specialized AI accelerators. Developers building on Meta's platforms may eventually benefit from more efficient and cost-effective underlying infrastructure, though the direct impact on external developers remains to be seen.
The Uber-Zoox partnership could accelerate consumer exposure to autonomous ride-hailing. If successful in Las Vegas, it may pave the way for broader deployment across Uber's network, potentially transforming urban mobility and creating new opportunities for developers working on related mapping, safety, and fleet management technologies.
Oracle's performance underscores the robust demand for AI-ready cloud infrastructure. Enterprises and developers looking to scale AI applications may find more reliable access to high-performance computing resources as cloud providers expand capacity in response to this demand.
What's Next
Meta has not publicly detailed timelines for each of the four chip generations beyond the end-of-2027 target for full deployment. Technical specifications and performance benchmarks are expected to emerge as the company progresses with its roadmap.
The Uber-Zoox service is scheduled to begin this summer in Las Vegas. Initial availability will be limited to eligible trips, with both companies likely monitoring rider feedback, operational performance, and regulatory compliance as they consider expansion.
Oracle's positive outlook suggests continued investment in AI infrastructure through the remainder of the year. The company is expected to provide further details on its AI-related cloud offerings in upcoming earnings calls and product announcements.
The broader AI industry continues to see rapid development in both hardware and application layers. Custom chip development by hyperscalers and expanded commercial deployment of autonomous vehicles represent parallel trends that could shape technology infrastructure and daily user experiences in the coming years.
Industry Context
These announcements arrive as the technology sector balances massive capital expenditures on AI with efforts to improve efficiency and explore new revenue streams. Meta's in-house chip strategy mirrors similar efforts by its peers, while the Uber-Zoox deal highlights how established mobility platforms are integrating cutting-edge autonomous technology. Oracle's results provide a snapshot of the financial upside available to companies successfully positioned in the AI infrastructure stack.
Sources
- Bloomberg Tech 3/11/2026
- Meta Preparing to Deploy Four New Homegrown Chips to Handle AI
- Uber Strikes Deal With Amazon’s Zoox to Offer Robotaxi Rides
- Uber strikes deal with Amazon’s Zoox to offer robotaxi rides
Note: Claims regarding Meta's chip deployment timeline and the specific details of the Uber-Zoox partnership are based on single-source Bloomberg reporting and remain unverifiable against additional independent sources at the time of publication. Oracle's strong quarterly performance and AI-driven outlook are corroborated by multiple reports.