Anthropic has asked SK Hynix, one of the world's largest memory-chip manufacturers, for supplies to manufacture its own semiconductors, according to SK Group Chairman Chey Tae Won. Chey, speaking at an AI event in San Francisco alongside Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, described the move as remarkable for an AI developer to pursue chip manufacturing ambitions, signaling Anthropic's strategy to build greater hardware independence.
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SK Group Chairman Chey Tae Won disclosed at an AI event in San Francisco that Anthropic has requested supplies from SK Hynix, a major global memory-chip manufacturer controlled by SK Group, to produce its own semiconductors.
Why it matters
Anthropic's push to build its own chips marks a significant shift for an AI developer—Chey described it as remarkable—and signals the company's ambition to reduce dependence on external chip suppliers and gain more control over its hardware stack, a strategy already pursued by larger tech firms.
What to watch
The disclosure came during a visit by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to Silicon Valley for an AI summit; multiple tech deals are being announced as part of his appearance, including partnerships between Nvidia and South Korea's Naver and SK Group.
At an AI event in San Francisco, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae Won revealed that Anthropic has asked SK Hynix Inc., one of the world's largest manufacturers of memory chips, for supplies needed to manufacture its own semiconductors. Chey, who controls SK Hynix through SK Group, sat on stage alongside Anthropic Chief Executive Officer Dario Amodei and other tech executives when he made the disclosure. He characterized the ambition as remarkable, noting that it is unusual for an AI developer to pursue chip manufacturing.
The announcement came during a broader wave of tech partnerships tied to a visit by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to Silicon Valley, where he convened an AI summit. Multiple deals are being announced as part of the president's appearance, including new partnerships between Nvidia and South Korea's Naver Corp., as well as between Nvidia and SK Group itself. This surge of announcements underscores South Korea's effort to position itself as a central player in the global AI hardware ecosystem.
Anthropic's move to develop its own chips reflects a broader trend among major AI companies seeking greater control over the hardware that powers their systems. By requesting supplies from SK Hynix—one of the world's largest memory-chip manufacturers—Anthropic signals serious intent to reduce reliance on external suppliers and build a more vertically integrated operation. Chey Tae Won's public characterization of this as "remarkable" for an AI developer underscores how unusual the step remains; most AI companies have historically focused on software and algorithms rather than semiconductor manufacturing, which requires substantial capital and specialized expertise.
The timing of this disclosure is notable. Chey made the announcement during a visit by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to Silicon Valley for an AI summit, a period when multiple tech partnerships are being forged—including deals between Nvidia and South Korean firms Naver and SK Group. This context suggests that South Korea's government and major conglomerates are positioning the country as a critical partner in the global AI supply chain, particularly for memory and semiconductors.
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