# Are Microsoft’s AI plans being held back by a shortage of chips? > Source: > Published: 2026-08-17 04:00:46+00:00 # Are Microsoft’s AI plans being held back by a shortage of chips? By Aisha Down and Ed ZitronSource: [The Guardian Technology](https://www.theguardian.com/us/technology)Guardian investigation finds apparent discrepancy between what tech company has said about its AI capacity – and the number of advanced chips it has in operation The chips are quite small and some can be held in the palm of a hand. They are fundamental to the development of [artificial intelligence](/glossary/artificial-intelligence) models – and the world’s biggest technology companies need vast numbers of them to keep ahead. Microsoft is one of them. And, on paper, it seems to have a problem. A Guardian investigation has found an apparent discrepancy between what the company has said about its AI capacity – and the number of advanced AI chips it has in operation. [Continue reading...](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/aug/17/are-microsofts-ai-plans-being-held-back-by-a-shortage-of-chips) Get AI news in your inbox Daily digest of what matters in AI.