SEOUL, March 18 - Advanced Micro Devices' chief executive, Lisa Su, is due to visit Samsung Electronics' chip production complex in Pyeongtaek on Wednesday, according to a person with direct knowledge of the trip. The visit will include an inspection of production lines and discussions focused on broadening the companies' existing cooperation beyond memory components into foundry manufacturing.
The source, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the matter, said Su is slated to meet several senior figures within Samsung's semiconductor organization. Those expected to attend include Jun Young-hyun, the head of Samsung's chip division, and Han Jin-man, who leads the firm's Foundry Business.
Samsung has supplied high-bandwidth memory 3E, or HBM3E, chips for AMD's most recent artificial intelligence accelerator products since last year, a relationship that the source said has kept the two companies closely linked on memory technology.
Following the site visit, Su is also anticipated to join Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee for a dinner meeting, the source added. The visit and meetings are presented as part of ongoing commercial interactions between the two companies, with an emphasis on whether cooperation could extend into foundry services in addition to the established memory supply relationship.
AMD was not immediately available for comment outside regular business hours. Samsung Electronics declined to comment when asked. The reporting source reiterated their request for anonymity because discussions are commercially sensitive and still unfolding.
Context and next steps
The trip signals a continuation of close contact between AMD and Samsung, reflected most recently in the supply of HBM3E memory for AMD's AI accelerators. The planned meetings with senior Samsung chip executives and the chairman underscore the companies' interest in exploring the scope of their partnership and whether it can encompass foundry manufacturing as well as memory supply.
What remains uncertain
- The outcome of the talks and whether any formal agreements will result from the visit remain unknown.
- Neither company provided further comment outside regular business hours, leaving the full scope of discussions and any potential timelines unclear.