LG Electronics has announced an expansion of its partnership with Tenstorrent, focusing on the development of artificial intelligence chip capabilities for on-device AI and future mobility applications.
The collaboration will involve the development of System-on-Chips (SoCs) and systems aimed at the global market. LG intends to enhance its design and development capabilities for AI chips that are specifically tailored to its products and services, in line with its "Affectionate Intelligence" vision. The company is focusing on improving its AI-powered home appliances, smart home solutions, as well as capabilities in future mobility and commercial applications.
Recognising the importance of high-performance AI semiconductors in implementing AI technology, LG plans to strengthen its in-house development capabilities whilst collaborating with companies like Tenstorrent to boost its AI competitiveness.
Tenstorrent is noted for its ability to design high-performance computing (HPC) semiconductors using its RISC-V and AI intellectual properties, which range in efficiency and performance from milliwatts to megawatts.
LG CEO William Cho recently met with Tenstorrent CEO Jim Keller at the LG Twin Towers in Seoul to discuss the strategic collaboration. The meeting was attended by executives from both companies, including LG's Chief Technology Officer Kim Byoung-hoon and the head of the SoC Center, as well as Tenstorrent's Chief Commercial Officer David Bennett and Vice President of Automotive.
The discussions centered on leveraging the companies' intellectual properties, design assets, and technologies to create synergies across AI home appliances, smart home solutions, future mobility, and video processing solutions for the data center market. Both CEOs underscored the necessity of enhancing capabilities in next-generation system semiconductors, such as RISC-V and chiplets, to navigate the fast-evolving AI landscape. Additionally, LG and Tenstorrent are considering establishing a long-term internship program.
LG is committed to advancing its AI-related software and algorithm technologies to offer customers products, platforms, and services based on generative AI, including developing AI chips to secure competitiveness in on-device AI technology.
William Cho commented, "Tenstorrent is bringing the industry's best AI and RISC-V technology to this collaboration. We aim to deliver a new customer experience through our unique Affectionate Intelligence, focusing on personalized, caring, and attentive solutions that better understand our customers and can provide tangible value."
Jim Keller, CEO of Tenstorrent, stated, "LG has a strong SoC development organisation and Tenstorrent is excited to continue to partner with them. Customers are looking for customizable solutions – our AI and RISC-V technology enables LG to own their silicon future."
LG has established a dedicated SoC R&D centre specialising in system semiconductor design and development. The centre focuses on advancing high-performance SoCs using chiplet technology, which integrates multiple chips into a single package and is increasingly in demand for high-performance, low-power AI semiconductors.
The system chips used in LG's key products have been developed under the SoC Centre's leadership. LG's proprietary AI chip for home appliances, "DQ-C," and the "LG \\(Alpha\\) 11 AI processor" for OLED TVs have significantly bolstered the company's position in the global AI appliance and premium TV markets.
As AI becomes increasingly pivotal, the importance of system chip design capabilities is growing across all business areas. LG is working to enhance its system semiconductor design capabilities and connect them with AI-related software and algorithm technologies to prepare for the future, aiming to provide Affectionate Intelligence solutions in everyday spaces, offering a differentiated customer experience.
