Tesla just locked in a $16.5 billion deal with Samsung to produce its next-gen AI6 chips.
The new chip will come from Samsung’s massive Texas fab, dedicated solely to Tesla’s AI6. Elon Musk called this move “strategic” and “hard to overstate.”
The AI6 chip is Tesla’s all-in-one design for everything — from Full Self-Driving (FSD) to Optimus robots to AI training in data centers. 
Tesla is still working with TSMC on the AI5 chips, which just finished design. AI5, aka A15, is primarily for FSD and will roll out first in TSMC’s Taiwan, then Arizona fabs. Musk said Samsung already makes the A14 chip.
The deal gives Samsung a much-needed boost after struggles landing big clients. Musk hinted Tesla could spend beyond $16.5 billion on Samsung chips, saying production will likely be “several times higher.”
Tesla will help Samsung optimize manufacturing efficiency to speed things up. Musk added the fab’s location is convenient — “not far from my house.”
Elon Musk posted on X:
“Samsung’s giant new Texas fab will be dedicated to making Tesla’s next-generation AI6 chip.
The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate.”“Actual output is likely to be several times higher.”
“This is a critical point, as I will walk the line personally to accelerate the pace of progress. And the fab is conveniently located not far from my house.”
Tesla switched from Nvidia’s Drive platform in 2019 to its own in-house chip, Hardware 3, built by Samsung with dual redundant systems for safety.
Since then, Tesla’s AI chips have expanded with its bigger AI and robotics ambitions, pushing beyond just cars.
Samsung’s Texas fab deal locks in a major stake in Tesla’s future AI hardware — and Musk is hands-on with the factory’s progress.
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