Google in talks with Samsung to make part of next-gen chip, The Information reports
Google's Next-Generation Chip Manufacturing Plans
Discussions Between Google and Samsung
June 11 (Reuters) - Alphabet's Google is in talks with Samsung Electronics to manufacture part of its next-generation chip, The Information reported on Thursday, citing two people familiar with the matter.
Production Details and Partners
Role of TSMC and Samsung
Google plans for Taiwan's TSMC to make the main part of the chip, codenamed 'Icefish,' while Samsung may produce a separate component that helps connect it to memory using its 2-nanometer production technology, the report said.
Industry Context
The chip industry has been grappling with a capacity crunch, as TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, works to keep up with surging demand and avoid becoming a bottleneck in the global supply chain amid the AI boom.
Google's AI Chip Strategy
Competing with Nvidia
Google has been seeking to make its in-house AI chips a viable alternative to Nvidia's dominant graphics processing units, with sales of its tensor processing units becoming a growth driver for the company's cloud revenue.
Timeline for "Icefish"
"Icefish" remains in the design stage and could enter mass production as soon as 2028, according to The Information.
Additional Manufacturing Talks
Discussions with Intel
On Monday, The Information reported Google was in talks with Intel to manufacture more than three million TPUs in 2028, citing people familiar with the matter.
Responses and Verification
Company Comments
Alphabet did not immediately respond to a request for comment, while Samsung Electronics was not immediately available for comment outside regular business hours. Reuters could not independently verify the report.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
