NVIDIA’s Jensen Hwang: A Tale of Praise and Criticism for Samsung Electronics
At CES 2025, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Hwang took the stage, showcasing the tech giant’s latest innovations. Yet, behind the scenes, a different narrative has been unfolding—one that highlights a strained relationship between NVIDIA and Samsung Electronics.
A Relationship Under Scrutiny
In September 2023, Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor executives received a blunt message from Hwang: “NVIDIA is a customer of Samsung Electronics, not an employee. Do not keep asking by calling.” This statement set the tone for a year of tension. Hwang reportedly expressed skepticism about Samsung’s High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) products and engineers, even telling Samsung’s management that he couldn’t trust their capabilities.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. In February 2023, NVIDIA employees sent an email too Samsung, stating they were “very disappointed with Samsung’s disappearance and lies.” Later that year, NVIDIA staff visiting Samsung’s Cheonan HBM packaging line returned with harsh criticism. A senior semiconductor industry executive revealed, “Jensen Hwang saeid in front of Samsung’s executives, ‘Samsung Electronics is unbelievable because the CEO has changed frequently.’”
Contradictory Public Statements
Hwang’s private criticisms starkly contrast his public praise. In March 2023, he left a “Jensen Approved” signature on Samsung’s 12-speed product. at CES 2025, he confidently stated, “There is no doubt in Samsung’s HBM success.” These mixed signals have left Samsung employees and investors in a state of uncertainty.
The impact of Hwang’s remarks has been notable. Reports suggest that Samsung’s leadership has been closely monitoring the possibility of NVIDIA passing their quality tests in the second quarter of 2024, with infrastructure assessments expected in the third quarter. Simultaneously occurring, Samsung continues to prepare for the redesign and quality testing of its HBM3E 12-stage product.
A Different approach to taiwan
While Hwang’s relationship with Samsung has been fraught with tension, his treatment of Taiwan, his home country, paints a different picture. In 2023,Hwang skipped the inauguration of President Donald Trump but made a high-profile visit to Taiwan.On December 16, he attended the opening ceremony of SPIL, a subsidiary of ASE, NVIDIA’s global packaging partner. the following day, he rallied employees at AI server parts maker Weestron, shouting words of encouragement.Hwang’s schedule also included meetings with key partners like Foxconn, Honghai, and Quanta.This stands in stark contrast to his virtual appearance at an AI-related event hosted by SK Hynix, a core partner of NVIDIA.
Industry reactions
the domestic semiconductor industry has been quick to weigh in. “Isn’t Jensen Hwang, who had evil feelings for Samsung Electronics, not intended?” one insider questioned. The disparity in Hwang’s treatment of Samsung and Taiwanese partners has raised eyebrows, with many speculating about the underlying motives.
Key Takeaways
To summarize the key points of this complex relationship:
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Private Criticism | hwang expressed skepticism about Samsung’s HBM products and engineers. |
| Public Praise | Approved Samsung’s 12-speed product and praised their HBM success at CES 2025. |
| Impact on Samsung | Leadership monitoring NVIDIA’s quality tests; redesigning HBM3E 12-stage. |
| Taiwan Engagement | Attended SPIL opening, rallied Weestron employees, met with Foxconn and others. |
Looking Ahead
As NVIDIA and Samsung navigate this rocky relationship, the semiconductor industry watches closely. Will Hwang’s criticisms spur Samsung to improve its HBM offerings? Or will this tension lead to a shift in partnerships? Only time will tell.
For now, one thing is clear: Jensen Hwang’s words and actions continue to shape the dynamics of the global tech landscape.
What’s your take on this evolving story? Share your thoughts in the comments below.n### NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang’s Pro-Taiwan Stance Fuels Semiconductor Boom in Taiwan
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is experiencing a transformative surge, driven in part by the unwavering support of NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang. Known for his “pro-Taiwan” stance, Huang’s recent visit to Taiwan has further solidified the island’s position as a global hub for AI and semiconductor innovation.
During his visit on January 16,Huang made a notable appearance at Taiwan’s packaging company SPIL,donning a jumper emblazoned with both NVIDIA and SPIL logos. This gesture underscored his commitment to fostering strong partnerships with Taiwanese companies. Huang’s affinity for Taiwan is deeply rooted in his personal and professional history, which has shaped his approach to the region’s semiconductor ecosystem.At the CES 2025 declaration earlier this month, Huang indirectly highlighted his preference for Taiwanese collaborations. While Samsung Electronics’ latest graphics DRAM (GDDR7) was delivered to NVIDIA’s graphics card products, Huang remarked, “I wrote a micron product,” and later clarified, “Samsung and SK Hynix I know that I don’t make GDDR7.” This statement has sparked discussions about NVIDIA’s strategic alignment with Taiwanese partners.
Taiwan’s rise as a global AI semiconductor powerhouse is undeniable. The island has built a robust system semiconductor (non-memory) ecosystem, anchored by the world’s leading foundry company, TSMC. as of 2022, Taiwan’s national income surpassed that of South Korea, marking a significant milestone in its economic trajectory.
NVIDIA’s support has been instrumental in propelling Taiwanese companies into the core supply chain of AI hardware. Foxconn, traditionally known as Apple’s subcontractor, is now transitioning into a key partner for NVIDIA’s AI server parts. Similarly, Mediatek, a Taiwanese fabless semiconductor design company, has entered the PC CPU market in collaboration with NVIDIA.The AI PC unveiled at CES 2025,featuring NVIDIA’s core chip,was co-developed with Mediatek,showcasing the synergy between the two companies.
Taiwanese companies are also making strides in the AI data center sector, which is emerging as a critical component of the AI era. This expansion is further bolstered by foreign investments pouring into Taiwan. Micron, a U.S.-based company, has increased its investment in Taiwanese display company AUO. NVIDIA’s Asia-Pacific headquarters is also likely to be established in Taiwan, with Huang hinting at the possibility during recent discussions.
Global semiconductor equipment companies like ASML and AMD have also announced plans to invest in Taiwan, reinforcing the island’s position as a magnet for international capital. A senior official in the semiconductor industry noted, “Taiwan’s advancements are becoming increasingly challenging for the Korean semiconductor industry.” Another official added, “It is noteworthy that the AI industry ecosystem is expanding in Taiwan.There is no way for Korean companies to attract customers with unique AI technology competitiveness.”
Key Developments in Taiwan’s Semiconductor Industry
| Aspect | Details |
|—————————|—————————————————————————–|
| NVIDIA’s Role | Strong partnerships with Taiwanese companies like Foxconn and Mediatek. |
| Foreign Investments | Micron, ASML, and AMD increasing investments in Taiwan. |
| AI Ecosystem | Expansion into AI data centers and AI hardware supply chains. |
| Economic Milestone | Taiwan’s national income surpassed South Korea’s in 2022. |
Jensen Huang’s pro-Taiwan stance and NVIDIA’s strategic collaborations are reshaping the semiconductor landscape.As Taiwan continues to attract global investments and expand its AI ecosystem, the island is poised to remain at the forefront of technological innovation.