ByteDance is developing its own artificial intelligence chip and has entered talks with Samsung Electronics for manufacturing support, according to a Reuters exclusive citing two sources familiar with the matter.
The chip, reportedly designed for AI inference tasks, is part of ByteDance’s strategy to secure a stable supply of advanced processors amid tightening US export controls.
The company expects to receive sample chips by the end of March and aims to produce at least 100,000 units in 2026, with plans to ramp up to 350,000 units.
Discussions with Samsung also include access to scarce memory chips, which are in high demand as AI infrastructure expands globally. ByteDance reportedly denied the accuracy of reports on its internal chip programme, while Samsung declined to comment.
The project, codenamed SeedChip, is part of a broader investment in AI, including large language models and infrastructure. ByteDance plans to spend more than $22 billion on AI-related procurement this year, with significant orders placed for Nvidia’s H200 chips.