The tech giant Apple announced on Monday that it is taking another step in the artificial intelligence race, as it plans on building a quarter-million-square-foot factory in Houston, Texas, by 2026 to build and house its AI servers.
The move from Apple is just the latest from the tech giant in recent months to push forward into the world of AI. The company shared that along with the new factory, it will be looking to add about 20,000 research and development jobs across the United States.
The factory and jobs are a part of Apple’s plans to spend $500 billion in the U.S. over the next four years. However, that figure also includes purchases from U.S. suppliers and filming of its television shows and movies for its Apple TV+ service.
“We are bullish on the future of American innovation, and we’re proud to build on our long-standing U.S. investments with this $500 billion commitment to our country’s future,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a statement Monday.
The company didn’t comment when asked by Reuters how much it was planning to spend with its U.S. supply base, which includes Corning, a Kentucky-based company that makes glass for its iPhones.
The news also comes after Cook met with President Donald Trump last week after the president announced a 10% tariff on all imports from China, where the tech company assembles many of its products.
During the first Trump administration, Apple had secured waivers from China tariffs, though it’s not immediately clear if the same will happen this time around.
Trump thanked Apple and Cook on Truth Social after the announcement, praising the investment as a sign that they had faith in his administration.
“APPLE HAS JUST ANNOUNCED A RECORD 500 BILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE REASON, FAITH IN WHAT WE ARE DOING, WITHOUT WHICH, THEY WOULD’NT BE INVESTING TEN CENTS. THANK YOU TIM COOK AND APPLE!!!” Trump wrote.
Apple has also started manufacturing more of its components in the U.S., as it began creating chips of its own design at an Arizona factory last month. That factory is owned by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
As for its factory in Houston, Apple said it will be working with Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, to complete its construction. At the facility, Apple will assemble servers that go into data centers to power Apple Intelligence, its current AI model.
Apple is also planning to open a manufacturing academy in Michigan where engineers will offer free courses for small and mid-sized manufacturing firms.