A partnership that began with television glass in the 1970s is now at the heart of global AI infrastructure.
Seoul, South Korea, 25 February 2026 – A business partnership that started more than five decades ago is finding new relevance in today’s artificial intelligence boom. The long-standing relationship between Samsung Electronics and Corning is entering a new chapter, driven by soaring demand for AI data centers and the optical fiber that connects them.
Recently, Corning’s stock has surged as global technology companies race to build large-scale AI infrastructure. This rally has significantly increased the value of Samsung’s investment in the US-based materials company, adding more than 3 trillion won in market value. While the financial gain is notable, it also highlights how an old industrial alliance has evolved into a strategic position in the fast-growing AI economy.
Corning is widely recognized for Gorilla Glass, commonly used in smartphones and consumer electronics. Today, however, its main growth engine lies in optical fiber and cable. These products form the backbone of high-speed data transmission, allowing AI data centers to move massive volumes of information quickly and efficiently.
As cloud giants expand AI capacity, demand for optical fiber has risen sharply. Corning’s share price reflected this shift, climbing strongly over the past year and continuing to rise in 2026. The company’s financial performance has followed the same trend, with profits and revenue growing as long-term supply agreements for fiber optics expand.
Samsung has directly benefited from this momentum. According to recent disclosures, Samsung Display holds tens of millions of Corning shares. Even after gradually reducing its stake, the value of those holdings increased sharply, reinforcing the importance of the relationship beyond short-term market movements.
Corning’s growth has been supported by large contracts linked to AI infrastructure, including a long-term optical fiber supply agreement with Meta Platforms. These deals position Corning as a critical supplier in the physical layer of artificial intelligence, an area that often receives less attention than software but is equally essential.
The partnership between Samsung and Corning dates back to 1973. At that time, Samsung depended heavily on imported glass for cathode-ray tube televisions, which made production costly and vulnerable to supply disruptions. Seeking a solution, Samsung’s founder partnered with Corning to localize glass manufacturing in Korea, laying the groundwork for what would later become Samsung’s global display business.
Over the years, the relationship deepened. In the 1980s, their joint venture became a world leader in CRT glass. In 2013, Samsung Display sold its stake in the venture to Corning in exchange for securities that were later converted into shares, making Samsung one of Corning’s largest shareholders.
What began as a manufacturing partnership gradually turned into a long-term strategic investment in materials science and advanced technology. While periodic share sales led to speculation about weakening ties, leaders from both companies have consistently emphasized the partnership’s long-term value.
Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong has publicly credited Corning’s early support as a key factor in Samsung’s global rise. Joint appearances by senior executives from both companies in recent years have further underscored their close alignment.
Today, the focus has shifted from television glass to fiber optics that powers AI clusters. The partnership now sits at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, data infrastructure, and global technology supply chains.
Founded in 1851, Corning has a long history of innovation, from glass for early light bulbs to breakthroughs in optical fiber. That legacy now places the company, and its decades-long partner Samsung, at the center of the AI era’s physical foundation.
