Intel plans to invest an additional $15 million in AI chip startup SambaNova Systems, raising its ownership to approximately 9% following a $35 million funding in February that lifted its stake to 8.2%. The move deepens a strategic collaboration on large-scale AI computing systems for data centers and cloud services.

The latest funding underscores Intel’s commitment to specialized AI training and inference hardware as demand escalates for efficient AI computing. This partnership aims to bolster Intel’s offerings in high-performance AI infrastructure as it seeks to reclaim market leadership in semiconductors.

Intel’s share price climbed roughly 4% to near $50 after investors cited renewed AI hardware momentum and a planned fab share buyback as key bullish drivers. Market analysts view the combination of tangible AI investments and capital return programs as pivotal to restoring investor confidence.

SambaNova’s chairman is Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, prompting questions over potential corporate governance issues in related-party transactions. Industry observers are monitoring whether robust oversight mechanisms are enforced to mitigate conflicts and maintain transparency.