AMD CEO Lisa Su returns to South Korea for HBM4 talks with Samsung chip chief
In brief
- AMD CEO Lisa Su was set to visit South Korea on October 6-7, Crypto Briefing reported.
- Su's agenda included a meeting with Samsung semiconductor head Jun Young-hyun.
- HBM4, the sixth generation of high-bandwidth memory, was reported as the trip's main focus.
- DDR5 and foundry cooperation were also reported agenda items; the report said no foundry arrangement was confirmed.
What's on the table
HBM4 is the sixth generation of high-bandwidth memory, and Crypto Briefing reported that it's the centerpiece of the visit. The agenda reportedly goes further than that. According to the outlet, talks were expected to cover next-generation DDR5 memory for AMD's EPYC server processors, and the two sides were expected to explore foundry cooperation for upcoming AMD products.
Crypto Briefing's report, published ahead of the trip, described these as expected agenda items and didn't report any signed agreement. No foundry arrangement between AMD and Samsung had been confirmed, per the report. Crypto Briefing said the March talks were high-level and non-binding, and that this trip was expected to lead to concrete agreements.
That's an expectation, not a deal.
The March MOU
Su's previous visit, in March 2026, produced a memorandum of understanding, Crypto Briefing reported. The outlet said that MOU named Samsung as a preferred HBM4 supplier for AMD's Instinct MI455X AI accelerators. Su met Samsung Chairman Lee Jae-yong on that trip, and their discussions highlighted a partnership on AI memory and computing technologies.
The report also said Samsung started shipping HBM4 to AMD in 2026 (after earlier supplying HBM3E for the MI350X and MI355X accelerators). It isn't a new relationship, either. The two companies' strategic collaboration has run for nearly 20 years, according to Crypto Briefing.
Beyond Samsung
Su was also scheduled to hold roundtable discussions with Korean AI semiconductor firms, including Rebellions and FuriosaAI, the report said. She was slated to meet government officials to discuss global expansion and ecosystem cooperation, and her schedule included AMD Gamer Day events.
Crypto Briefing framed the trip against a tight market. The outlet said demand for advanced AI memory and computing technology was outpacing current supply, and noted that AMD competes with rivals such as Nvidia in AI accelerators. Will October's talks turn into signed contracts? The report says that's the expectation (though it also said no foundry arrangement had been confirmed).
Frequently asked questions
What is HBM4 and why is it central to AMD's talks with Samsung?
HBM4 is the sixth generation of high-bandwidth memory. Crypto Briefing reported it was the main focus of Lisa Su's October trip, and that a March 2026 MOU named Samsung as a preferred HBM4 supplier for AMD's Instinct MI455X AI accelerators.
Has AMD signed a foundry deal with Samsung?
Crypto Briefing reported that no foundry arrangement between AMD and Samsung had been confirmed. The outlet said the two sides were expected to explore foundry cooperation for upcoming AMD products during the October talks.
