Elon Musk has stated that Tesla's next-generation AI5 chip is nearly complete in design, six months after claiming it was finished. Samsung is preparing its Texas factory for trial operations to support AI5 production later in 2026. The chip will be manufactured by both Samsung and TSMC using advanced processes.
Elon Musk recently announced that Tesla's AI5 chip, intended for advanced AI applications including autonomous driving, is 'almost done' with its design phase. This update comes six months after Musk had previously declared the chip 'finished,' indicating a delay in the development timeline. In a post on X, Musk also revealed that early work on the successor AI6 chip is underway, with Tesla aiming for an accelerated nine-month design cycle for future iterations like AI7, AI8, and AI9. He suggested this rapid pace could position Tesla's chips as the highest-volume AI processors globally.
Supporting this progress, Samsung Electronics is ramping up operations at its new semiconductor plant in Taylor, Texas, specifically to produce the AI5 chip. The facility, Samsung's first wafer fabrication plant in the United States spanning 4.85 million square meters, is nearing completion with about 7,000 workers on site, including 1,000 in the office building. According to reports, Samsung plans to start trial operations of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment in March 2026, paving the way for full AI5 production in the latter half of the year. The company is seeking a temporary occupancy permit to begin manufacturing before the plant is entirely finished.
Tesla has partnered with Samsung and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) for AI5 production. TSMC will use a 3nm process, while Samsung targets 2nm technology, potentially offering performance advantages. These developments underscore Tesla's aggressive push in AI hardware to enhance its Full Self-Driving and robotics initiatives, though the initial delay highlights challenges in meeting ambitious timelines.
