Anthropic is discussing a new custom chip with Samsung

2026-07-02 · Source: AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Novice, quick

Summary

Anthropic is reportedly in discussions with Samsung regarding the development of a new custom AI chip, following earlier reports in April that the company was considering producing its own chips to address shortages. While details on the chip's specific use, server integration, or power remain undecided, this move aligns with a broader trend among AI companies. Competitors like OpenAI recently partnered with Broadcom to announce its "Jalapeño" inference processor, emphasizing efficiency. Amazon and Google also offer custom TPUs within their cloud services. Anthropic stated its compute strategy will continue to rely on a diversified hardware stack including chips from Google, Amazon, and Nvidia. Samsung is already a significant partner to Nvidia, producing chips for AI model training and collaborating on an AI chip factory in South Korea, and has also discussed partnerships with Google.

Key takeaway

For Directors of AI/ML evaluating compute infrastructure, Anthropic's move signals a critical shift towards custom silicon. Your strategy should consider diversifying hardware suppliers to mitigate single-vendor reliance and explore partnerships for specialized chip development. This trend suggests future performance and cost efficiencies will increasingly come from tailored hardware. This impacts your long-term procurement and R&D investments.

Key insights

Major AI companies are pursuing custom chips to reduce Nvidia dependency and optimize specific compute tasks.

Principles

• Diversified hardware stacks enhance compute strategy.
• Custom chips offer independence and task optimization.
• Strategic partnerships are key for chip manufacturing.

In practice

• Explore custom chip development for specific AI workloads.
• Diversify hardware suppliers beyond a single vendor.
• Partner with established chip manufacturers like Samsung.

Topics

• AI Chips
• Custom Silicon
• Anthropic
• Samsung
• OpenAI
• NVIDIA
• Broadcom

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Related on AIssential

• OpenAI’s Jalapeño chip is Big Tech’s spiciest move away from Nvidia — Major tech firms are developing custom AI chips to gain control and optimize performance, reducing reliance on single suppliers.
• Anthropic ships Claude Tag, OpenAI Unveils It's Own Chip — Major AI labs are vertically integrating hardware and software to optimize costs and expand enterprise utility.
• Marvell Rallies 5% as Google Plans to Diversify for AI Chips — Diversifying custom AI chip suppliers reduces costs and supply chain risks for major tech companies.
• Anthropic takes $5B from Amazon and pledges $100B in cloud spending in return — Major AI developers are securing massive compute capacity through cloud infrastructure deals with tech giants.
• Qualcomm plans new chip architecture for phones — AI's future hinges on advanced chip architectures and optimized compute infrastructure, amidst shifting global trade and geopolitical landscapes.
• ALERT: Google Eyes Samsung for Icefish TPU as AI Chip Demand Surges — Google is developing Icefish AI chips and exploring Samsung as a manufacturer to diversify its supply chain amid surging demand.

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by AI News & Artificial Intelligence | TechCrunch.