Samsung replaces chip chief with veteran exec Jun as SK Hynix takes AI lead

Samsung Electronics has replaced the chief of its semiconductor division in a bid to overcome a “chip crisis”, amid a booming market for AI chips where the world’s biggest memory chipmaker has lagged peers.

The South Korean manufacturer on Tuesday said it has appointed Young Hyun Jun effective immediately, shifting him from the role as head of its future business planning unit.

The move is likely aimed at catching up in the market for top-end chips used in artificial intelligence such as high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, an area where Samsung has fallen behind rivals such as SK Hynix, analysts said.