Tesla Begins AI5 Chip Tape-Out as Musk Announces Bold Plan to Outpace Global AI Chipmakers
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Tesla has officially begun the tape-out phase for its
next-generation AI5 processor, marking a major step forward in the
company’s in-house AI hardware program. Elon Musk also confirmed that
development of the AI6 chipset—the successor to AI5—has already kicked
off.
The move underscores Tesla’s intention to scale its AI semiconductor efforts to
a level that could challenge the biggest chipmakers in the world.
Tesla Accelerates Its AI Chip Roadmap
In a recent post on X, Musk revealed that Tesla is “very
close” to taping out its new AI5 chip, which will replace the existing AI4
platform currently installed in Tesla’s latest vehicles.
Tape-out is the stage when a completed chip design is sent to the fabrication
plant for manufacturing—one of the last milestones before mass production
begins.
At the same time, the company has initiated early design
work on the AI6 chipset, signalling an increasingly fast development
cycle.
A Long-Running AI Chip Division Few Knew About
Musk also pointed out that many still don’t realise Tesla
has spent years quietly building a dedicated AI chip engineering division.
This team has produced and deployed millions of custom AI processors,
powering Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) computers and supporting the company’s
data-centre operations.
The same chips now play an important role in Optimus,
Tesla’s humanoid robot, and are being designed to support future applications,
including advanced medical-assistance systems.
Musk's Vision: A New AI Chip Every Year
Sharing the company’s long-term roadmap, Musk said:
“Our goal is to bring a new AI chip design to volume production every 12
months.”
He added that Tesla aims to eventually produce AI chips in
greater numbers than the rest of the global AI semiconductor industry
combined—an incredibly bold target that would reshape the competitive landscape
if achieved.
Samsung to Manufacture Tesla’s Next AI Chipsets
According to earlier reports from Bloomberg, Samsung has
secured a $16.5 billion partnership with Tesla to manufacture its future
AI chips.
A newly constructed Samsung foundry in Texas is expected to be exclusively
dedicated to fabricating the AI6 processor, giving Tesla a reliable
large-scale manufacturing base for the next generation of its hardware.
Tesla Hiring Chip Engineers as AI Ambitions Expand
To support its accelerated roadmap, Tesla is now actively
hiring engineers experienced in advanced semiconductor design.
Musk encouraged applicants to apply directly, adding that Tesla is “particularly
interested in applying cutting-edge AI to chip design.”
The expansion of Tesla’s AI division signals an accelerating
shift toward hardware self-reliance—something Musk sees as essential for the
company’s future in autonomous driving, robotics, and AI-powered productivity
systems.
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