New Delhi, Sept. 15 -- Meta Platforms plans to start deploying a new generation of internally developed artificial intelligence chips in its data centres during the first half of next year, as the company seeks to lower the cost and energy consumption of running AI models.

The Facebook and Instagram parent first announced plans to build its own AI processors in 2023. It is now testing the third generation of its custom chip family, known as MTIA 450 or Arke.

A subsequent generation, called MTIA 500 or Astrid, is expected to complete its design phase in about a month and enter Meta's data centres towards the end of 2027. The company expects to deploy Astrid on a significantly larger scale.

Meta's custom chip programme is part of a broad...