Apple ships US-made AI servers ahead of 2026 schedule

Apple’s Chief Operating Officer Sabih Khan confirmed that the company is shipping U.S.-made AI servers from its new Houston manufacturing facility ahead of the original 2026 timeline. The accelerated production comes in response to the Trump administration’s push to expedite domestic manufacturing projects, with these servers playing a crucial role in powering Apple Intelligence and Private Cloud Compute infrastructure.

What you should know: Apple’s $600 billion domestic infrastructure investment includes a 250,000-square-foot server manufacturing facility in Houston that began construction earlier this year.

• The facility produced its first test unit in July and was originally scheduled to begin mass production in 2026.
• These servers were previously manufactured outside the U.S. and are specifically designed to support Apple’s AI capabilities through Private Cloud Compute.

Why this matters: The early shipment represents a significant milestone in Apple’s strategy to bring critical AI infrastructure manufacturing back to American soil, directly supporting the company’s expanding artificial intelligence services.

• Apple Intelligence relies heavily on server infrastructure for processing complex AI tasks that can’t be handled on-device.
• The Houston facility positions Apple to maintain greater control over its AI supply chain while reducing dependence on overseas manufacturing.

What they’re saying: Apple COO Sabih Khan expressed enthusiasm about the accelerated timeline in his statement to Fox News Digital.

• “We’re thrilled to be shipping American-made advanced servers from our Houston facility,” Khan said. “Our teams have done an incredible job accelerating work to get the new Houston factory up and running ahead of schedule.”
• A White House official responded positively to the news: “The President likes things getting done ahead of schedule, so it’s good to see Apple quickly responding to his call to bring American jobs back to our country.”

The big picture: Apple’s accelerated server production aligns with broader political pressure to reshore critical technology manufacturing, particularly for AI infrastructure that underpins national competitiveness and security.