Whole Mars Catalog@wholemars
Samsung is definitely the underdog when it comes to chipmaking. They are the current supplier for Tesla's AI3 and AI4 chips, but have struggled ramping up their smaller process nodes with acceptable yields while TSMC has excelled.
Since AI4, Tesla has started using TSMC to fab their Dojo training chip. Originally the rumor was that they would source AI5 from both TSMC and Samsung, but it looks like they decided to go exclusively with TSMC. TSMC will likely be able to deliver on AI5 no problem.
With AI6 running on Samsung's new 2 nanometer tech, it remains to be seen whether Samsung can deliver. Having Elon Musk walking the line in a bunny suit will hopefully help, but chip making is hard. There is a chance that if Samsung can't deliver they go with TSMC for AI6 as well.
But if they can make it work with Samsung, there will definitely be some major advantages. One is that Samsung has fabs located in Texas, while TSMC's most advanced process nodes are in Taiwan. Not only is the latter closer to where Tesla is making cars and robots, there's also significantly less risk of geopolitical disruption. Mexico invading Texas is less likely than China moving against Taiwan.
More than that, Samsung's chip making business is in a more desperate state right now. This helps Tesla secure better terms, and if they can help Samsung catch up with 2 nm and become more competitive with TSMC, that will probably be good for the industry as a whole. That competition will drive more options and better terms for Tesla in the future, assuming Samsung can pull it off.