ByteDance is developing an AI chip and discussing OEM matters with Samsung.

According to media reports citing informed sources, ByteDance is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) chip and is in talks with Samsung Electronics regarding manufacturing. The sources revealed that ByteDance plans to receive chip samples by the end of March and aims to produce at least 100,000 chips designed specifically for AI inference tasks this year, with production gradually increasing to 350,000 chips. The negotiations with Samsung also include securing the supply of storage chips that are in high demand amidst the global AI infrastructure construction boom, making the deal particularly attractive. A ByteDance spokesperson responded that the reports about self-developed chip plans are incorrect, but did not provide further details, while Samsung Electronics declined to comment. Sources also mentioned that ByteDance plans to invest over 160 billion RMB in AI-related areas this year, with over half of the funds earmarked for purchasing Nvidia's H200 chips and advancing its self-developed chip plans. The report also indicated that ByteDance has not yet developed its own chips but has launched a program called "SeedChip" as part of the company's broader efforts to redirect resources towards AI development, expecting the technology to revolutionize its businesses spanning short videos, e-commerce, and enterprise cloud services.