Munich: Germany’s Bavarian State Government has announced a collaboration with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) to establish an AI chip research and development center at the Technical University of Munich (TUM).

According to Focus Taiwan, the center, named the Munich Advanced Technology Center for High-tech AI Chips (MACHT-AI), will aim to strengthen Europe’s chip design capabilities and cultivate German semiconductor talent. This initiative was detailed in a press release by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy.

The state ministry indicated that MACHT-AI will be led by Professor Hussam Amrouch and will focus on developing high-performance, customizable AI chips. Additionally, it will provide training for students and researchers in semiconductor processes, including FinFET transistors, with technical support from TSMC.

TUM President Thomas Hofmann highlighted that the new center will enhance teaching and research in FinFET and AI hardware design, while also opening up new cooperation opportunities with TSMC. The center will receive joint funding from the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts and the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy, with a total budget of about 4.5 million euros, as per the state ministry statement.

Markus Blume, minister of the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts, expressed gratitude to TSMC for its cooperation and emphasized that the partnership would facilitate the cultivation of local talent in advanced chip technologies. Hubert Aiwanger, minister of the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy, noted that Europe continues to face a shortage of professionals in AI chip design, and the center will help address Germany’s semiconductor talent gap.