Samsung Electronics Co has agreed to supply and collaborate with AMD on next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) memory and computing technologies.
Under a preliminary agreement, Samsung would provide next-generation high-bandwidth memory, HBM4, as the primary supplier for AMD’s MI455X accelerators used in corporate data centers, the companies said in a joint statement yesterday.
Samsung would also supply DDR5 memory chips for AMD’s Helios system based on the MI455X and the new Venice central processing unit design, according to the agreement signed by AMD chief executive officer Lisa Su (蘇姿丰) and Samsung co-chief executive officer Jun Young-hyun in Pyeongtaek.
Photo: EPA
The two companies also agreed to discuss opportunities for foundry partnership. Samsung is already a key supplier of the 12-layer HBM3E that is paired with AMD’s accelerators, MI350X and MI355X.
Meanwhile, Samsung is considering a shift toward multiyear contracts for memory chips, a much longer timeframe than is typical, to help stabilize supply and ease concerns about a shortage of essential components.
The company is considering lengthening contracts from the quarterly or annual agreements to as much as three to five years, Jun told shareholders at the company’s annual general meeting yesterday; that is as demand for AI memory chips is expected to continue surging next year, he said.
Samsung, SK Hynix Inc and Micron Technology Inc dominate the supply of memory chips globally. The three have shifted production in recent years toward a specialized form of memory intended for use in Nvidia Corp’s in-demand AI accelerators, leading to a shortfall in output of more conventional storage.
On Monday, SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won said he expected the global shortage of memory chips to persist for another four to five years because of endemic constraints in semiconductor production.
Separately, tens of thousands of Samsung workers yesterday said that they would strike in May over a wage dispute, raising concerns over chip production.
More than 66,000 of nearly 90,000 unionized workers voted on whether to strike, the association of three unions said in a statement.
“Of those who voted, 93.1 percent voted in favor,” it said.
“This result makes clear that the vast majority of Samsung Electronics workers reject the company’s current proposal as failing to uphold the management principle of ‘People First,’” it said.
The unions’ demands include a 7 percent wage hike, the removal of a cap on bonuses and a more transparent performance-based bonus system.
Samsung said it remained “committed to reaching a smooth agreement” with the unions.
Additional reporting by AFP
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