Two companies to develop AI models for chip design and manufacturing
Samsung Electronics said Tuesday that it had entered into a strategic partnership with French AI company Mistral AI to develop artificial intelligence models specifically designed for semiconductor design and manufacturing.
The collaboration will focus on building and deploying AI solutions for Samsung’s semiconductor operations, including chip design, manufacturing process optimization and engineering workflows.
Under the partnership, Samsung plans to integrate Mistral AI’s advanced language models into its semiconductor business and develop customized AI capabilities that can operate within its own infrastructure.
On-premises AI systems are becoming increasingly important in the semiconductor industry, where companies need to maintain control over sensitive design data, manufacturing processes and proprietary technologies.
As semiconductor development becomes more complex and production environments generate growing volumes of data, AI-driven analysis and automation are emerging as critical tools for improving efficiency and competitiveness. Samsung aims to apply customized AI models across its semiconductor operations, from engineering and design to manufacturing processes.
The partnership comes as Mistral AI expands its presence as one of Europe’s leading artificial intelligence companies. Founded in France in 2023, Mistral AI develops open-weight AI models that allow organizations to deploy and customize AI systems within their own environments.
The company has positioned sovereign AI — an approach that enables organizations to retain control over their data, models and computing infrastructure — as a core part of its strategy. Mistral AI currently supports AI transformation efforts for more than 125 global companies, including Airbus, ASML and HSBC, and operates across 20 countries.
“Increasing complexities involved in AI chip design and manufacturing require continuous innovation in semiconductor technologies,” said Jun Young-hyun, vice chairman and head of the device solutions division at Samsung Electronics.
“We look forward to working with Mistral and supporting the evolving needs of customers, while delivering new breakthroughs across the semiconductor ecosystem essential to the AI era.”
The partnership follows Samsung Electronics’ participation as a lead investor in Mistral AI’s latest Series D funding round, further strengthening the two companies' strategic relationship.
Mistral AI raised 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) in the funding round, valuing the company at more than 21 billion euros. The investment marked the largest equity funding round by a private European technology company since its founding in 2023.
Samsung Electronics, EQT’s Scale-Up Europe Fund and existing investor PSG Equity led the funding, with participation from major technology and institutional investors including ASML, Nvidia, Andreessen Horowitz, Bpifrance, General Catalyst and funds managed by BlackRock.
Mistral AI plans to use the investment to expand AI model research and development, strengthen computing capabilities, invest in infrastructure and accelerate global growth.
“AI is reshaping how we build complex technologies, from silicon to software,” said Arthur Mensch, co-founder and CEO of Mistral AI.
“We are proud to support Samsung Electronics with our expertise in electronics and semiconductors, helping to improve how chips are designed and manufactured, and to accelerate technical progress across the global semiconductor and AI value chain.”
yeeun@heraldcorp.com