In recent years, Samsung has faced criticism for launching “boring” products. The company used to be known for exciting product launches, where many would get excited over Samsung’s Galaxy S-series of flagship phones. However, Samsung’s recent flagship offerings, like the new Galaxy S25 series, feel kind of dull. This is why in a bid to “revive” themselves, Samsung chief Jay Y Lee is reportedly planning to meet OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman, according to a report from Korean publication MK Business.
Samsung’s AI ambitions
Samsung has already hopped on board the AI hype train with its Galaxy AI platform. This is largely thanks to an ongoing partnership with Google. However, Samsung might not want to rely solely on Google. By collaborating with OpenAI, Samsung could offer new AI products and services to help differentiate it from the competition, most of whom are also relying on Google or who are trying to build their own AI models.
This potential partnership between Samsung and OpenAI could prove beneficial to both companies. For example, Samsung could integrate OpenAI’s AI models, such as ChatGPT, into its devices. This could give its users an alternative to Google’s Gemini.
OpenAI also stands to benefit where it could leverage Samsung’s expertise in semiconductor manufacturing. At the moment, due to the hype surrounding AI, NVIDIA’s AI chips are in high demand. This makes it difficult for OpenAI to secure the necessary components for its data centers. To that end, OpenAI is said to be looking to develop its own chips to reduce its reliance on third-party companies. This is where Samsung’s foundry business could step in and provide a solution.
This collaboration has the added benefit of helping Samsung strengthen its position in the semiconductor market.
Competition and Challenges
However, Samsung is not the only company OpenAI has approached. Reports suggest that Altman has also approached TSMC, Samsung’s biggest rival in the semiconductor space, about a potential partnership. This means Samsung could face stiff competition in securing a deal with OpenAI.
TSMC is currently the largest semiconductor manufacturer in the world. This is thanks to the company’s significant advancements in its manufacturing process. This includes fabricating chips on smaller and more efficient nodes. This is why many tech giants such as Apple and Qualcomm rely heavily on TSMC for their semiconductor needs.
We should also consider that Samsung needs to strike a delicate balance here. The company’s ongoing partnership with Google has proved fruitful over the years. However, working with Google’s AI rival OpenAI could ruffle some feathers. However, giving customers more choices when it comes to which AI model they prefer to use is a good thing. It remains to be seen if the meet up between Samsung and OpenAI’s Sam Altman will result in anything, but we’ll definitely be keeping our eyes peeled.
