Samsung Electronics has simultaneously recruited a leading authority in deep learning and vision AI along with a data specialist from Meta to accelerate the AI transformation (AX) of its semiconductor business. The strategy aims to boost development efficiency and productivity by integrating AI across the entire semiconductor workflow, from design to process engineering and manufacturing.
Samsung Electronics announced on the 14th that it has appointed Han Bo-hyung, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Seoul National University, as a Fellow in its DS (Device Solutions) division, and Han Tae-rin, former senior engineering manager at Meta, as a Senior Vice President at the AX·PI Center. Han the Fellow began work at Samsung Electronics the same day.
Han the Fellow will lead the development of AI models specialized for semiconductor R&D. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in computer science from Seoul National University, followed by a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Maryland. He served as assistant and associate professor of computer science at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) before joining Seoul National University as a professor in 2018. Last year, he received the “Scientist of the Month Award” from South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT, and this year he was elected a full member of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology.
Notably, Han the Fellow represents the first case of a Seoul National University professor working at Samsung Electronics while retaining his academic position. SNU approved a “50-50 split appointment” for the first time for an active professor, meaning he will spend half of his annual working period at SNU and the other half at Samsung Electronics. This also marks the first time Samsung Electronics has hired a domestic university professor under a dual-appointment arrangement.
Han Tae-rin, the newly appointed SVP, will be responsible for building an “AI Ready Data” foundation—processing and managing data so that AI can be immediately applied to actual work. He graduated from Seoul National University’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He worked at Meta as a senior engineering manager from 2016 until last year, then joined Samsung Electronics after a stint at Persona, a digital identity verification platform company.
Samsung Electronics’ simultaneous push to strengthen both AI model development and data infrastructure stems from the fact that expanding AI utilization in semiconductor operations requires not only algorithms but also high-quality data for training and analysis. Given that the semiconductor industry generates massive volumes of data across design, process development, and manufacturing, structuring that data into AI-usable formats can significantly enhance efficiency in development and production.
Samsung Electronics recently elevated the AX team under its management support division to the AX·PI (Process Innovation) Center. This organization is dedicated to enterprise-wide improvement through AI and AI standardization, and both newly recruited experts have been assigned to this center.
Samsung Electronics had previously announced plans to build “AI autonomous factories” by 2030, introducing AI to domestic and overseas production facilities to dramatically improve efficiency and quality. This latest hiring is seen as part of securing key talent to strengthen the execution of that plan.
A Samsung Electronics official stated, “We plan to continuously improve development efficiency and productivity by expanding AI application across core semiconductor functions including design, process, and manufacturing. We will continue to secure key talent in AI and data fields and spread their expertise throughout the organization to strengthen company-wide AI capabilities.”
Industry observers view this recruitment as driven by a sense of urgency—as AI has emerged as a core competitive factor determining semiconductor development and productivity, falling behind competitors in AI utilization capabilities could mean losing leadership in semiconductor technology competition. Samsung Electronics plans to continue securing key talent in AI and data fields, starting with these two expert hires.