Google is in talks to bring Samsung on board as a second manufacturer for its next-generation artificial intelligence chips, according to reports cited by Yahoo Finance and MSN. The move would mark a significant shift in how the company sources the custom silicon that powers its AI products and data centers.
The reported plan would have Google split chip production between its long-time partner TSMC and Samsung, rather than relying on a single supplier. The driving force, according to the reports, is a capacity crunch at TSMC — the Taiwan-based foundry that fabricates chips for nearly every major tech company, from Apple to Nvidia.
Demand for AI hardware has surged over the past two years, and TSMC's most advanced manufacturing lines are reportedly stretched thin. By bringing Samsung into the picture, Google would gain additional production volume and reduce its dependence on a single chokepoint in its supply chain.
News of the exploration sent Alphabet shares slightly lower, according to TechStock², reflecting investor uncertainty about costs or execution risk tied to working with a second foundry partner.
Neither Google nor Samsung has publicly confirmed the discussions, and the reports describe the talks as exploratory rather than finalized.
The story matters because it illustrates how the AI boom is straining the global chip supply chain — and forcing even the world's most powerful technology companies to scramble for manufacturing alternatives.