Tesla Completes AI5 Design, Elon Musk Thanks Samsung for Production

Tesla has completed the design of its next-generation AI chip, AI5, which could power the company’s autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots. Recently, CEO Elon Musk announced the milestone and thanked Samsung (alongside TSMC) for its role in making the chip. The chip now moves one step closer to mass production, though it may not happen until 2027.

Tesla reinforces AI chip strategy as AI5 design completes

Tesla aims to make its own AI chips to better control performance, while reducing dependence on external suppliers like Nvidia. AI5 is part of that effort, and it now moves from the design stage into manufacturing. In a post on X, Must wrote, “Congrats to the @Tesla_AI chip design team on taping out AI5,” adding, “AI6, Dojo3 & other exciting chips in work.”

For the uninitiated, tape-out is the final stage of the chip design process, paving the way to the production stage. The AI5 will likely move into early production to test initial versions, followed by full-scale production. The mass production will reportedly kick off sometime in 2027.

For production, Tesla has chosen both Samsung and TSMC. Initially, the company had all orders assigned to TSMC, though it later included Samsung, likely due to the former’s limited capacity. Musk also thanked TSMC and Samsung for their support in bringing this chip to production. He added, “It will be one of the most produced AI chips ever.”

Reports suggest Samsung will make part of the AI5 chips at its Taylor, Texas, facility. Meanwhile, TSMC could handle production at its fabs in Taiwan and the United States (Arizona). This approach could help Tesla scale production efficiently while avoiding supply constraints.

Last year, Samsung inked a $16.5 billion contract with Tesla to produce the automaker’s next-generation AI6 chip. Previously, Musk said Tesla could tape out AI6 as early as December 2026. Industry watchers expect this chip to play a key role in helping the Korean Foundry see profits in the coming years.