Hitachi and Intel have announced a strategic collaboration on artificial intelligence, advanced computing and digital infrastructure across manufacturing, energy, mobility and other industrial sectors.
The companies will work in five areas: foundry tools, quantum computing, energy optimisation, custom silicon and edge-AI applications, and factory automation. The effort combines Hitachi's information technology, operational technology and manufacturing expertise with Intel's computing and chip platforms.
The partnership centres on what the groups call physical AI, a term for AI systems deployed in real-world industrial environments such as factories, energy networks and transport operations. They plan to develop new computing systems and industry-specific products while refining existing processes.
In semiconductor manufacturing, Hitachi said it collects high-precision data from metrology systems, critical dimension scanning electron microscopes and etching systems through its ExTOPE platform. That data could be used with physical AI for predictive diagnostics and maintenance, with the aim of improving yield, reducing production times and raising chipmaking quality.
Quantum focus
Quantum computing is another part of the agreement. Hitachi said its research and development teams will deepen co-development work with Intel in an effort to speed progress in quantum technologies.
Energy is also central to the partnership. Hitachi's HMAX Energy system is set to be used in Intel fabrication plants to provide managed services for core power equipment, while Intel plans to supply high-voltage silicon chips for Hitachi's power systems.
The two groups are also exploring custom silicon, edge-AI applications and factory automation. These areas sit at the intersection of Intel's semiconductor business and Hitachi's industrial systems portfolio, giving both companies several ways to apply AI and computing in operational settings.
The announcement formalises a relationship that stretches back more than 40 years. The timing is notable, as industrial technology groups and chipmakers increasingly seek closer ties while manufacturers, utilities and transport operators look to bring AI into existing infrastructure rather than build entirely new systems.
For Hitachi, the tie-up fits a broader push to link digital technology with industrial and social infrastructure. The Japanese group has built much of its recent strategy around combining software, data and operational systems across sectors including rail, energy and manufacturing.
For Intel, the collaboration offers another route into industrial markets at a time when chipmakers are trying to expand AI demand beyond data centres. Industrial edge applications, including robotics and autonomous machines, are becoming a key battleground as companies pursue more specialised uses for AI hardware and software.
Industrial applications
The agreement's practical focus stands out. Rather than limiting the work to research, the companies pointed to applications in fabrication plants, power systems and factory operations, suggesting near-term industrial deployment will sit alongside longer-term development in fields such as quantum computing.
Toshiaki Tokunaga, President & CEO of Hitachi, said the move reflects a broader change in how AI is being applied in infrastructure-heavy sectors. "Building on more than 40 years of trust with Intel, we are delighted to launch a comprehensive strategic collaboration," Tokunaga said.
He added: "As the emergence of Physical AI brings a significant impact on our society, this collaboration will accelerate AI transformation across a wide range of industries that support social infrastructure. By combining Hitachi's IT, OT, and products with Intel's advanced computing capabilities, we are well positioned to advance the deployment of AI in mission-critical social infrastructure worldwide. We will also create new value in frontier fields such as quantum computing."
Intel framed the alliance as part of a shift towards AI systems operating on the industrial edge. "The coming wave of physical AI will transform the industrial edge of our economy through new advances in robotics, autonomous machines, and other AI edge devices," said Lip-Bu Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Intel.
Tan added: "By combining Intel's advanced computing and AI capabilities with Hitachi's deep OT expertise and world class IT capabilities, we are uniquely positioned to help industries capture the enormous opportunity represented by physical AI at industrial scale. Together, we will accelerate the deployment of intelligent, real-world systems and bring the benefits of AI to more businesses and industries around the world."