The proposed partnership would see Samsung manufacture a key memory-connect component for Google’s upcoming “Icefish” AI processor, while TSMC handles the main compute die.
Alphabet-owned Google is reportedly in discussions with Samsung Electronics to manufacture a portion of its next-generation artificial intelligence processor, according to a report by The Information. The move could help Google diversify its semiconductor supply chain while providing a major boost to Samsung’s contract chip manufacturing business.
The AI processor, codenamed “Icefish,” is said to be under development with support from chip designer MediaTek. According to the report, Google plans to have Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) produce the chip’s primary computing die, while Samsung could manufacture a separate component that connects the processor to memory using its advanced 2-nanometer process technology.
Mass production of the new AI chip could begin as early as 2028, although development is still ongoing. Samsung’s 2nm manufacturing technology is expected to offer improvements in performance, power efficiency, and chip density, making it attractive for demanding AI applications.
If the partnership moves forward, it would mark an important win for Samsung Foundry as it seeks to expand its presence in the highly competitive semiconductor manufacturing market. The company has been working to attract more customers for its advanced process technologies and previously secured a multibillion-dollar agreement with Tesla to manufacture AI chips.
The reported talks also suggest that Google may be looking to reduce its dependence on TSMC, which remains the dominant global contract chipmaker but faces increasing pressure from surging AI-related demand. Recent reports have also linked Google with Intel for potential future TPU production.
Google’s in-house Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) have become a key part of its AI infrastructure strategy, supporting both AI model training and inference workloads. As demand for AI computing continues to rise, expanding manufacturing partnerships could help Google secure sufficient chip supply for future growth.
