Google and Samsung negotiate AI chip deal as tech giant diversifies manufacturing beyond TSMC

Google is in talks with Samsung to build next-gen 'Icefish' TPU on 1.4nm and 2nm process split

Google is reportedly in talks with Samsung Electronics to manufacture part of its next-generation AI processor. According to The Information, citing people familiar with the matter, the chip in question is Google's 10th-generation Tensor Processing Unit, codenamed "Icefish", with mass production potentially beginning as early as 2028. The arrangement under discussion would split manufacturing between two foundries. TSMC would handle the main compute die on its 1.4nm process, while Samsung would produce the memory I/O die using its 2nm technology. Google is co-developing Icefish with MediaTek, and the chip is still under development. The Information noted that Samsung's deep understanding of memory characteristics, including HBM, appears to have been a key factor in Google's consideration, and Samsung's ability to handle memory production, foundry work, and advanced packaging under one roof gives it a compelling integrated pitch. Samsung already supplies the HBM used in Google's existing TPUs, meaning that a broader role in Icefish could involve the company's memory division, foundry business, and packaging unit in a single project. Samsung's Taylor fab in Texas is reportedly being discussed as a potential production site. AI demand has pushed TSMC's production to its limits, prompting major chip designers to look for alternatives. Earlier this week, a separate report revealed that Google is also in talks with Intel to manufacture more than three million TPUs in 2028, and NVIDIA has been evaluating Intel for future multi-die GPU designs. Samsung's potential role in Icefish would sit alongside that arrangement rather than replace it, with Google effectively spreading its manufacturing footprint across three foundries for its next-generation AI chips. Samsung has also been building momentum on the foundry side. The company secured a $16.5 billion contract last year to manufacture Tesla's next-generation AI6 chip using its 2nm process, and is also producing components for NVIDIA's Vera Rubin platform.

Google in talks with Samsung to make part of next-gen chip: Report

Google is reportedly in talks with Samsung Electronics for manufacturing a component of its upcoming AI processor. This collaboration could boost Samsung's chip manufacturing business. The processor, codenamed "Icefish", is still in development with mass production potentially starting in 2028. This move suggests Google's effort to diversify its chip manufacturing sources. Alphabet's Google is in talks with Samsung Electronics to manufacture part of its next-generation artificial intelligence processor, The Information reported on Thursday, citing two people familiar with the matter. Google plans for TSMC to make the main computing part of the tensor processing unit, codenamed "Icefish", while Samsung may produce a component that helps connect ⁠it to ⁠memory using its 2-nanometer production technology, the report said. The tech giant is working with chip firm MediaTek on the design, and "Icefish" is still in development, with mass production possible as early as 2028, the report said. Landing the contract would mark a big win for Samsung's push to grow its contract chip-manufacturing business. The 2nm process packs more power ⁠into smaller chips, potentially improving speed, power use and AI capabilities. Samsung Electronics declined to comment, while Alphabet did not immediately respond ⁠to a request for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the report. In April, Samsung said it expects to win more customers for chips manufactured using the advanced technology and was considering a second Texas plant to ramp up production. In July 2025, it landed a $16.5 billion deal with Tesla to make AI chips using the process. The report is the latest to suggest that Google is looking to reduce reliance on TSMC, which is trying to keep up with surging AI demand but could prove to be a ⁠bottleneck for the industry. The Information reported on Monday that Google was in talks with Intel to manufacture more than three million TPUs in 2028. Google's in-house AI chips have emerged as an alternative to Nvidia's dominant graphics processors, with rising sales of the TPUs becoming a growth driver for its cloud unit. It unveiled two new custom chips in April, designed for training AI models and inference.

Global Chip War Intensifies: Google & Samsung's Potential AI Chip Alliance Signals a New Era

At first glance, this may seem like another business deal between two tech giants. However, industry experts believe it reflects a much larger shift taking place in the global AI and semiconductor markets. Google has been aggressively investing in its proprietary Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) -- specialized chips designed to train and run artificial intelligence models. These chips have become increasingly important for Google's cloud business and AI services as the company seeks alternatives to the dominance of Nvidia's GPUs. The upcoming Icefish processor is reportedly Google's tenth-generation TPU and is being developed in partnership with chip design company MediaTek. Reports indicate that the chip could enter mass production as early as 2028. Under the current plan, the most computationally intensive portion of the chip is expected to be manufactured by TSMC, the world's leading advanced chipmaker. Samsung, meanwhile, may produce the memory-interface component using its advanced 2-nanometer manufacturing technology.

Google in talks with Samsung to make part of next-gen chip: report - The Korea Times

Alphabet's Google is in talks with Samsung Electronics to manufacture part of its next-generation artificial intelligence processor, The Information reported on Thursday, citing two people familiar with the matter. Google plans for TSMC to make the main computing part of the tensor processing unit, codenamed "Icefish", while Samsung may produce a component that helps connect it to memory using its 2-nanometer production technology, the report said. The tech giant is working with chip firm MediaTek on the design, and "Icefish" is still in development, with mass production possible as early as 2028, the report said. Landing the contract would mark a big win for Samsung's push to grow its contract chip-manufacturing business. The 2nm process packs more power into smaller chips, potentially improving speed, power use and AI capabilities. Samsung Electronics declined to comment, while Alphabet did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the report. In April, Samsung said it expects to win more customers for chips manufactured using the advanced technology and was considering a second Texas plant to ramp up production. In July 2025, it landed a $16.5 billion deal with Tesla to make AI chips using the process. The report is the latest to suggest that Google is looking to reduce reliance on TSMC, which is trying to keep up with surging AI demand but could prove to be a bottleneck for the industry. The Information reported on Monday that Google was in talks with Intel to manufacture more than three million TPUs in 2028. Google's in-house AI chips have emerged as an alternative to Nvidia's dominant graphics processors, with rising sales of the TPUs becoming a growth driver for its cloud unit. It unveiled two new custom chips in April, designed for training AI models and inference.

Google Considers Samsung for Part of Future AI Chip Production

This move comes amid significant strain on global semiconductor production capacity. TSMC, the industry leader, is struggling to meet the surging demand driven by the rise of artificial intelligence, prompting major technology players to diversify their industrial partnerships. For Samsung, securing such a contract would represent a major milestone in its strategy to expand its advanced foundry business. Simultaneously, Google is continuing its efforts to strengthen the position of its Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) against Nvidia chips, which currently dominate the AI market. According to published reports, "Icefish" is still in the design phase and could enter mass production as early as 2028. This initiative also follows reports of discussions between Google and Intel for the manufacturing of several million TPUs, illustrating the group's determination to secure its long-term supply chains.