Intel has reportedly put a plan in place to poach senior engineers from TSMC as both companies move forward with investments into billion-dollar facilities in the state of Arizona.

According to a report from Taiwanese news outlet Commercial Times, Intel launched what the outlet described as a “talent grabbing” exercise when it was revealed that TSMC would also be setting up a home in the state.

This is despite the fact Intel has asked the chipmaker to manufacture its Gaudi 3 AI accelerators using TSMC’s 5nm process technology and sent orders for next-generation Intel Falcon Shores to the company.

TSMC had previously said a skilled worker shortage in Arizona had led to delays at the company’s first US plant. However, this problem has seemingly since been mitigated, with the company stating that construction at its fab was in fact ahead of schedule after it was awarded $11.6 billion from the US government under the CHIPS and Science Act to build three fabs in the state.

In March, it was announced that Intel would receive $8.5bn in direct funding from the US government to support the company’s investments in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon.

As a condition of the funding agreements, both TSMC and Intel have said they will set aside tens of millions in dedicated funding to develop the semiconductor and construction workforce at both a state and company level.

DCD has reached out to Intel for comment.