Samsung Electronics is facing a challenging annual general meeting where shareholders are dissatisfied with its inability to take advantage of the artificial intelligence surge, causing it to underperform in the technology sector last year. During the meeting, top executives including Co-CEO Han Jong-hee and chip division head Jun Young-hyun will be present to address concerns such as strategies to counter U.S. tariffs and identifying drivers for future growth.

Internally, Samsung has recognized the loss of its technological edge, especially in semiconductor technology where it trails behind SK Hynix in crucial high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips essential for AI graphic processing units. Chairman Jay Y. Lee conveyed a message highlighting the lack of significant innovation efforts within the company, with a focus on maintaining the status quo rather than embracing change.

Samsung's stocks plummeted by almost a third in the previous year, contrasting with SK Hynix's 26% surge. The company also faced challenges losing market share to TSMC in contract chip manufacturing and to competitors like Apple and Chinese firms in the smartphone industry. Despite launching a $7.2 billion share buyback plan to boost stock value, Samsung's sales of AI chips are projected to slow due to U.S. export regulations to China, a critical market for the company.

As South Korea's most valuable firm, Samsung holds a market capitalization of $235 billion, making up 16% of the country's main stock exchange value. Additionally, approximately 40% of investors in South Korean stocks own Samsung shares.