Tesla is reportedly in advanced discussions with Samsung Electronics to significantly increase production of its next-generation AI chip, known as AI6. This move signals Tesla’s escalating commitment to developing advanced artificial intelligence capabilities for its vehicles, robotics, and data infrastructure.
AI Chip Production Expansion Under Discussion
According to a report from Korean industry outlet The Elec, Tesla’s purchasing executives are scheduled to meet with Samsung officials this week. The primary agenda is to negotiate a substantial expansion of the current agreement for manufacturing the AI6 chip. Industry sources suggest Tesla is pushing for a considerable increase in wafer allocation.
Under the existing long-term foundry agreement, which extends through December 31, 2033, and is reportedly valued at approximately 22.8 trillion won (about $16–17 billion), Tesla currently secures around 16,000 wafers per month from Samsung. The recent request aims to add an additional 24,000 wafers monthly.
If finalized, this expansion would boost Tesla’s total production capacity for the AI6 chip to approximately 40,000 wafers per month. This significant increase underscores the growing demand for advanced AI processing power within Tesla’s ecosystem.
Samsung’s Role in Tesla’s AI Advancement
The AI6 chip is slated to be manufactured using Samsung’s cutting-edge 2-nanometer process technology. This advanced manufacturing node is crucial for delivering the high performance and efficiency required for sophisticated AI applications.
The partnership between Tesla and Samsung in semiconductor manufacturing is not new. Samsung has a history of collaboration with Tesla, having participated in the design and production of Tesla’s previous AI chips. Samsung manufactured Tesla’s HW3 (AI3) chip using a 14-nanometer process and continues to produce the HW4 chip, currently used in Tesla vehicles, utilizing a 5-nanometer node.
While Tesla had initially considered splitting the production of its AI5 chip between Samsung and TSMC, the company has reportedly opted to consolidate the manufacturing of the newer AI6 chip primarily with Samsung, highlighting the depth of their strategic relationship.
AI6 Chip to Power Key Tesla Technologies
The AI6 chip is expected to be a foundational component for several of Tesla’s most ambitious technological endeavors. Industry insiders indicate that the chip will play a critical role in supporting the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, the development of the Optimus humanoid robot, and Tesla’s extensive internal AI data centers.
Furthermore, the report suggests that clusters of AI6 chips could potentially supersede the role originally envisioned for Tesla’s Dojo AI supercomputer. Instead of a singular, large-scale supercomputer, Tesla might opt for a distributed architecture, combining multiple AI6 chips into powerful server-level clusters. This approach could offer greater scalability and flexibility in managing its AI workloads.
The precise details regarding supply terms and the expanded production schedule are anticipated to be the focus of the upcoming discussions between Tesla and Samsung executives. The outcome of these negotiations will be a key indicator of Tesla’s immediate AI hardware strategy and its reliance on Samsung as a manufacturing partner.