Anthropic, the developer of the artificial intelligence (AI) model "Claude," is in talks to have Samsung Electronics' (005930.KS) foundry (contract chip manufacturing) produce its own AI chip, according to a report. With OpenAI having unveiled an AI chip developed in partnership with U.S.-based Broadcom, rival Anthropic is countering the move. If the discussions materialize, observers say Samsung Electronics could cooperate with Anthropic on foundry services and with OpenAI on memory supply.
The Information reported Sunday, citing sources, that Anthropic is in early-stage discussions with Samsung Electronics to develop its own AI chip.
According to the report, Anthropic is considering utilizing Samsung Foundry's 2-nanometer (nm, one-billionth of a meter) manufacturing process and advanced packaging facilities. The 2nm process is regarded as the industry's most advanced chip process, offering good power efficiency by increasing processor integration density. Advanced packaging technology narrows the distance between the main processor and memory chips, increasing data transfer speed and improving power efficiency.
If Samsung Electronics wins the order for Anthropic's own AI chip, it would secure another Big Tech client following Tesla, Nvidia, and Apple. The Information reported that while the discussions may not proceed, Anthropic has shown its commitment to developing its own chip by hiring chip engineers. Last month, Anthropic recruited Clive Chan, an early member of OpenAI's custom chip team.
Anthropic's rival OpenAI unveiled its first inference chip, "Jalapeno," last month through a partnership with Broadcom. The chip will be mass-produced by Taiwanese foundry company TSMC. AI startups are seeking to develop chips specialized for their own AI model development to reduce their dependence on Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs) and pursue cost efficiency.
If the discussions materialize, Samsung Electronics could cooperate with Anthropic on foundry services and with OpenAI on memory. Broadcom CEO Hock Tan explained, when unveiling Jalapeno on Nov. 24, that Samsung Electronics and SK hynix supply memory chips to Broadcom.
