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Microsoft’s AI chip inventory lags amid power shortages

8/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Microsoft has installed 2.2 million AI chips in the United States, under half of expert expectations.
Fairwater datacenters in Wisconsin and Georgia were built with only 300 MW and remain offline.
Internal documents indicate Microsoft holds fewer Nvidia Blackwell chips than anticipated, possibly about 1 million of the 3.6 million ordered by four customers.
Satya Nadella said power shortages and insufficient datacenters have left many chips in inventory.

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Story summary

Microsoft has installed 2.2 million AI chips in the United States, under half of expert expectations.
Fairwater datacenters in Wisconsin and Georgia were built with only 300 MW and remain offline.
Internal documents indicate Microsoft holds fewer Nvidia Blackwell chips than anticipated, possibly about 1 million of the 3.6 million ordered by four customers.
Satya Nadella said power shortages and insufficient datacenters have left many chips in inventory.