OpenAI's Custom Chip Challenges Nvidia's AI Dominance

OpenAI has revealed plans for Jalapeño, a custom inference chip built with Broadcom, joining Google, Apple, and SpaceX in reducing reliance on Nvidia. The move is less a clean break and more a strategic hedge, giving companies more hardware control and performance gains similar to what Apple achieved by ditching Intel. The TechCrunch Equity podcast also covers Groq's $650M raise, AI agent developments, Agility Robotics planning a SPAC listing, and A24 receiving investment from Google DeepMind to build AI tools for filmmakers.