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Samsung Foundry is reportedly deepening its ties with Elon Musk’s AI ventures. Tipsters claim the South Korean chip giant has struck a deal with xAI — the startup behind the Grok chatbot — potentially to manufacture custom accelerators. If true, the move signals another major win for Samsung in the race to power next‑generation AI.
Insider tip: chips, EUV tools, and a Taylor fab
The rumor first surfaced on X, where a well‑known tipster suggested Samsung finalized a contract with xAI. While the source didn’t spell out exact chip designs, the most likely scenario is that Samsung will produce AI accelerator silicon for xAI. The same tipster also claims Samsung ordered three EUV machines for its Taylor, Texas fabrication site — a clear sign of ramping up advanced node production.
Why the EUV order matters
Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is a cornerstone of modern high‑performance chipmaking. Adding EUV capacity at Taylor would enable Samsung to build denser, more power‑efficient AI chips — exactly the kind AI startups need to train and run large models. In short: EUV gear hints at serious manufacturing intentions, not just a licensing deal.
Part of a bigger comeback story
Samsung’s foundry business has been on an upswing. After winning major contracts from Tesla — including production of the AI5 and the upcoming AI6 accelerators, following work on AI4 — the company has showcased its 2nm roadmap and attracted big names like Apple. With xAI reportedly joining the customer list and AMD rumored to follow, Samsung is positioning itself as a credible challenger to TSMC’s dominance.
For xAI, working with Samsung would mean access to cutting‑edge process technology and expanded manufacturing capacity. For Samsung, it’s another marquee client to validate its advanced nodes and scale EUV manufacturing in the U.S.
What this could mean for the industry
- Greater supply diversity for AI accelerators could reduce pressure on a single supplier and potentially speed up availability for startups and hyperscalers.
- Increased competition between Samsung and TSMC could accelerate innovation and push more aggressive pricing or feature roadmaps.
- Regionalizing chip production with fabs like Taylor supports U.S. demand and geopolitical resilience in the supply chain.
Samsung also recently unveiled its Exynos 2600 mobile chipset, underscoring the company’s ongoing push across both consumer and AI markets. Whether the xAI deal becomes public or stays in the rumor mill, the whispers reflect a broader trend: large AI projects increasingly require bespoke silicon, and chipmakers are racing to supply it.
Keep an eye on official statements from Samsung and xAI. If confirmed, this partnership would be another milestone in the fast‑evolving world of AI hardware.
Source: sammobile
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