Investment firm Apollo Global is reportedly in talks with Intel to finance the expansion of the chip giant’s operations in Kildare, Ireland.

Everything digital needs semiconductors, and even more so with the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. As such, tech companies and governments are scrambling over themselves to invest in chip manufacturing.

This has resulted in fierce rivalry between tech companies designing the chips, including Nvidia and Intel, as well as the those building them, including TSMC and Samsung.

In a bid to regain leadership in the sector, US-based Intel is overhauling its manufacturing operations to build chips for competitors. As such, various investments have been made in fabrication plants based in Western Europe and North America in a bid to shift chip production away from Asia.

For instance, in March 2024 the Biden administration proposed up to $8.5bn in direct funding and $11bn in loans to Intel through the CHIPS and Science Act to advance...