Apple has unveiled ambitious plans to invest $500 billion in the United States over the next four years, which includes building a state-of-the-art factory in Texas for artificial intelligence (AI) servers and creating 20,000 new research and development jobs nationwide, as per a recent report by Reuters.

The massive investment will span a variety of initiatives, from sourcing materials from American suppliers like Corning, which produces iPhone glass in Kentucky, to funding original content for Apple TV+, says the report. While the company did not disclose how much of this spending is new, analysts estimate Apple already spends more than $150 billion annually in the US on goods, services, and operations.  

The decision comes shortly after Apple CEO Tim Cook met with former President Donald Trump, who has long urged US companies to reduce their reliance on overseas manufacturing. Trump praised the move on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling it a testament to Apple's confidence in his administration's policies, adds the Reuters report.

A key part of the investment is a new 250,000-square-foot facility in Houston, Texas, developed in collaboration with Foxconn. The factory will manufacture servers for Apple's data centres, which power its AI-driven features, such as tools that help draft emails and automate tasks. These servers are currently produced outside the US, making this a notable shift in Apple's supply chain strategy.

Apple also announced it will double its Advanced Manufacturing Fund from $5 billion to $10 billion, with a portion dedicated to producing advanced silicon chips at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co's (TSMC) Arizona facility. Last month, Apple began mass-producing its own chips at the TSMC plant, marking a milestone in its efforts to strengthen domestic semiconductor production.  

In addition to these projects, Apple plans to open a manufacturing academy in Michigan, further states Reuters. The academy will reportedly offer free training programmes for small and mid-sized manufacturers, focusing on areas like project management and process optimisation.