Samsung's chip manufacturing department has partnered with Canadian startup Tenstorrent to develop the next generation of AI chiplets for data centers. Tenstorrent plans to use Samsung's advanced manufacturing process, the SF4X process and 4nm architecture, to produce its chips. The partnership aims to deliver high-performance compute solutions to customers worldwide. Tenstorrent recently closed a $100 million funding round led by Samsung and Hyundai to accelerate product development, AI chiplets, and machine learning software.


Samsung Partners with AI Chip Startup Tenstorrent to Develop Next-Gen Chips


Samsung's chip manufacturing department has entered into a partnership with Canadian startup Tenstorrent to develop the next generation of AI chiplets for data centers. Tenstorrent, which focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) processors, announced the collaboration on October 2. The startup plans to leverage Samsung's advanced manufacturing process, specifically the SF4X process and 4nm architecture, for the production of its next-gen chips. The product resulting from this collaboration will be a chiplet designed to be paired with other chiplets within a single package.


Jim Keller, CEO of Tenstorrent, emphasized that the objective is to create high-performance compute solutions and deliver them to customers globally. In August, Tenstorrent successfully closed a $100 million funding round led by Samsung and automotive manufacturer Hyundai. The funds were intended to accelerate product development, particularly in the areas of AI chiplets and machine learning software.


This partnership is part of the ongoing competition to develop powerful AI chips for advanced AI systems. Currently, Nvidia is a market leader in chip development, having achieved significant value in the AI sector. However, the company has faced regulatory scrutiny, including an antitrust investigation in France, where local police raided Nvidia offices. Meanwhile, in the United States, authorities are actively asserting control over the industry, imposing restrictions on the export of high-level Nvidia technology to China.


As part of the broader geopolitical landscape, the U.S. recently made a multibillion-dollar deal with Vietnam, a traditional trading partner with China and a former adversary of the U.S., focusing on AI chips and technology.


(SAVANNAH FORTIS, COINTELEGRAPH, 2023)