Tesla AI5 and AI6 Chips: Samsung Launches Production in 2026

Today, I’m sharing information that will shape Tesla’s technological future for years to come. Samsung has just reached a major milestone in the construction of its Texas mega-factory, the very one that will produce the famous AI5 and AI6 chips for the brand’s autonomous vehicles. With a precise timeline pointing to March 2026 for the start of critical tests, the stakes are enormous: these semiconductors will power Full Self-Driving and the future Robotaxi fleet. And this is just the beginning of an ultra-aggressive roadmap that extends to AI9.

Samsung’s Texas Factory Enters Critical Phase

Samsung is about to launch a decisive phase at its Taylor factory in Texas. Starting March 2026, the first tests of EUV (extreme ultraviolet lithography) equipment will begin at this gigantic site of 4.85 million m².

To give you an idea of the project’s scale, approximately 7,000 workers are currently active on site, including a thousand in the engineering offices. The recent request for temporary occupancy permits signals intensive preparation before the launch of production operations.

What particularly strikes me is the geographical proximity to Tesla’s Gigafactory Texas in Austin. Samsung didn’t set up shop there by chance: this strategic location facilitates direct collaboration with Tesla’s teams.

EUV is the technology that enables etching using a 2-nanometer process, the current pinnacle of semiconductor miniaturization. A technical feat that will literally transform the computing capabilities embedded in our vehicles.

Tesla Relies on a Dual Supply Source

Samsung (2nm) and TSMC (3nm): Two Complementary Allies

Tesla isn’t putting all its eggs in one basket. The company simultaneously relies on Samsung for its next-generation 2nm process and on TSMC for its already proven 3nm process.

This redundancy strategy is not insignificant. It helps secure production against industrial and geopolitical uncertainties. We all remember the semiconductor shortages between 2020 and 2022 that paralyzed the global automotive industry.

Samsung’s 2nm theoretically offers better energy performance and superior computing power. TSMC’s 3nm, on the other hand, brings the maturity of an already mastered process, with fewer manufacturing defect risks.

An American-Style Industrial Sovereignty Strategy

By diversifying its suppliers, Tesla applies a rule that every Tesla owner knows well: always have a Plan B. But there’s more to it than that.

Production on American soil significantly reduces geopolitical risks. Unlike Europe, which heavily relies on Asian chips, the United States is rebuilding its industrial sovereignty in this strategic sector.

The American CHIPS Act has created a favorable context for this relocation. Musk thus secures the most critical supply chain for the development of embedded artificial intelligence. This approach also recalls that as with batteries produced in China, the question of industrial sovereignty arises differently depending on the components and target markets.

An Ultra-Aggressive AI Roadmap: From AI5 to AI9

Hold on tight, because the timeline announced by Musk is enough to make your head spin. Tesla plans a 9-month development cycle per chip generation. Yes, you read that right: 9 months.

Specifically, here’s what that means:

• AI5: nearly finalized, mass production planned for the second half of 2026
• AI6: early development already launched
• AI7, AI8, AI9: in the pipeline at this frantic pace

The stated goal is ambitious: to become “the most produced AI processors in the world by volume”. To achieve this, Tesla is massively recruiting engineers specializing in chip design.

9 months per generation? This is unprecedented in the semiconductor industry, where development cycles usually span 18 to 24 months. Ambitious? Absolutely. Realistic? I remain cautious.

Musk is known for announcing optimistic timelines. Even with potential delays, the momentum remains impressive and shows Tesla’s determination to control this critical technology.

Why These Chips Are Crucial for Tesla’s Future

For us, Tesla owners, these chips are not just an abstract technical feat. They directly determine the evolution of Full Self-Driving that we use daily.

Musk’s compensation package includes a goal of 10 million FSD subscriptions. To achieve this, the system must gain in reliability and fluidity. This is precisely what these new generations of chips will enable thanks to their tenfold computing power.

The Robotaxi vision relies entirely on these semiconductors. Without them, it’s impossible to compete with Waymo or Cruise in the race for full autonomy. Here we find the raw power that already characterizes models like the Tesla Model S Plaid, this time transposed to the field of artificial intelligence.

Tesla follows the same strategy as Apple with its processors: designing its own chips to differentiate itself from the competition. This vertical integration offers several advantages:

• Perfect optimization between hardware and software
• Economies of scale if mass production succeeds
• Independence from external suppliers
• Potential reduction in FSD price for end-users

Specifically, you should notice increased system fluidity, the arrival of new features impossible with current chips, and above all, improved safety thanks to reduced reaction times. This approach is also part of Tesla’s democratization strategy with its future $25,000 compact car, which will require these same autonomous capabilities to be competitive.

According to industry analysts, mastery of EUV technology represents a decisive competitive advantage for years to come. Samsung has clearly understood this by accelerating the development of its Texas site.

One thing is certain: between the ambitious timeline and the industrial reality of 2nm, the coming months will reveal Tesla’s ability to deliver on its technological promises. I will closely follow the evolution of this factory, as March 2026 is approaching faster than we think. See you in a few quarters to see if Samsung and Tesla uphold their commitments on this strategic project.