Alphabet to Double 2026 CapEx to $175-185B Fueling AI Chip Demand
Alphabet plans to nearly double 2026 CapEx to $175-185 billion, much of which will fund custom TPU AI chips and networking spend with Broadcom. Intel board chair Frank Yeary will retire after May’s annual meeting, replaced by Craig Barratt, a former Alphabet Google executive with Qualcomm experience.
1. Alphabet's 2026 CapEx Increase
Alphabet has announced plans to boost its capital expenditure to a range of $175 billion to $185 billion in 2026, aiming to accelerate development and deployment of its custom Tensor Processing Units and AI networking infrastructure. This surge in spending is expected to drive greater demand for partners like Broadcom and intensify competition among AI chip suppliers.
2. Intel Board Chair Transition and Google Connection
Intel board chair Frank Yeary will retire following the company’s annual meeting in May, handing the role to Craig Barratt. Barratt, who joined Intel’s board in 2025, brings extensive experience from Qualcomm and a tenure as an executive at Alphabet’s Google, potentially strengthening strategic ties between Intel and Google’s cloud and AI initiatives.