New Delhi, May 22 -- Microsoft is in active talks to supply Anthropic with its custom-built Maia artificial intelligence chip, CNBC has confirmed. No agreement has been finalised, according to a person familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to discuss internal negotiations. The discussions were first reported by The Information on Thursday.

The potential arrangement would mark a significant expansion of the commercial relationship between the two companies, which have already committed to substantial financial ties through Microsoft's Azure cloud platform.

Microsoft unveiled its second-generation Maia AI processor in January, positioning it as a competitive alternative to the custom silicon offered by cloud rivals Amazon and G...