Astera Labs opens AI R&D hubs in Israel, hiring hundreds to advance chip connectivity for data centers.

U.S. chipmaker Astera Labs is opening R&D centers in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Ramat Gan, Israel, to boost development of AI data center infrastructure. The move, led by semiconductor veteran Guy Azrad and Ido Bukspan, involves hiring hundreds of engineers, including 60 from defunct firm Pliops via a $70 million talent agreement. The centers will focus on high-speed connectivity technologies for AI systems, supporting Astera’s Intelligent Connectivity Platform. The expansion reflects growing global investment in Israel’s tech sector and aims to strengthen the company’s position in the AI hardware race.