Samsung Electronics may be on the verge of securing another major customer in the global artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor market, as reports indicate that Google is considering the company as a manufacturing partner for components used in its next-generation AI processors.
According to semiconductor industry sources on June 12, Google has been discussing potential collaboration with Samsung Electronics on the production of certain key components for its future Tensor Processing Units (TPUs). Google continues to expand its in-house AI chip development efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of its AI services, with mass production of the next-generation TPU reportedly targeted for 2028.
Industry observers attribute the discussions to the growing challenge of securing manufacturing capacity amid surging global demand for AI semiconductors. Most advanced AI chips are currently produced by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), but the rapid expansion of generative AI services has intensified competition among major technology companies for limited production capacity.
As a result, global tech firms are increasingly pursuing diversified manufacturing strategies to reduce dependence on a single supplier and mitigate supply chain risks.
Samsung has recently accelerated efforts to enhance the competitiveness of its advanced 2-nanometer process technology. Industry sources suggest that Google is evaluating a production model in which TSMC would manufacture the primary compute dies for future TPUs, while Samsung could be responsible for producing selected input/output (I/O) dies and other specialized functional blocks.
Should the partnership materialize, it would represent more than a standard foundry contract for Samsung. Securing Google as a customer would serve as a significant endorsement of Samsung's advanced manufacturing capabilities and could strengthen its position in attracting additional AI semiconductor clients.
Market attention is also focused on Samsung's semiconductor facility in Taylor, Texas, which is expected to become a major hub for advanced manufacturing in the United States. The plant aligns with U.S. efforts to strengthen domestic semiconductor supply chains and could provide Samsung with a strategic advantage in serving customers seeking local production capabilities.
Analysts also point to potential synergies with Samsung's high-bandwidth memory (HBM) business. Samsung remains one of the few companies capable of offering a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem that includes memory, foundry services, advanced packaging, and system integration. As AI chip complexity continues to increase, integrated turnkey solutions are expected to become an increasingly important competitive differentiator.
"The explosive growth of the AI semiconductor market is prompting major technology companies to diversify production risks," said an industry official. "If Samsung can demonstrate stable yields and manufacturing reliability, it will be well positioned to secure not only Google but also other leading global customers."
Another industry source noted that Samsung's recent progress in improving advanced-process yields and expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint has increased its visibility in the custom AI chip market.
"Discussions with Google could become an important benchmark for evaluating the competitiveness of Samsung's foundry business in the next phase of AI-driven semiconductor growth," the source said.
