Google ($GOOGL) is intensifying its in-house chip development efforts, a move aimed at bolstering its artificial intelligence capabilities amid a costly AI battle. The Wall Street Journal reports that this strategic shift includes the rollout of new hardware designed to manage a wide array of tasks, from YouTube advertising to big data analysis. The initiative, highlighted by the introduction of the new chip Axion, signifies Google's push to reduce its dependence on external vendors for chip technology. This development has had a noticeable impact on Google's stock, which saw fluctuations, trading 0.6% higher and later 0.6% lower in pre-market sessions.