Chip War: How semiconductors became the new oil with Chris Miller
Sep 5, 2023
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Chris Miller, an expert in semiconductors and their impact on geopolitics, discusses how semiconductors have become the new oil. He explores the concentrated nature of the semiconductor supply chain and its historical and geopolitical implications. The podcast also covers the role of defense procurement in the development of the chip industry, the complexity of semiconductor manufacturing, China's strategy to catch up in the chip industry, the story of Huawei in the chip industry, and China's technological edge and the shortage of GPUs.
Semiconductors have become the new oil, serving as the foundation of modern military, economic, and geopolitical power.
The semiconductor industry is highly concentrated, with only a few countries and companies dominating the supply chain.
Taiwan, particularly TSMC, has emerged as a critical player in chip manufacturing, making it a crucial hub for global chip production.
Deep dives
Semiconductors are crucial for the global economy
Semiconductors play a vital role in various industries, from smartphones and cars to AI applications. The disruption in the supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of semiconductors in the global economy.
The concentration and geopolitical significance of the chip industry
The semiconductor industry is concentrated in a few countries and companies. Only a handful of companies and countries design and manufacture semiconductors. Semiconductors have been at the center of geopolitics, espionage, and economic competition.
The rise of Taiwan and TSMC
Taiwan, particularly TSMC, has emerged as a major player in the chip industry. TSMC was founded with a focus on chip manufacturing, and its success has made Taiwan a crucial hub for chip production. Losing TSMC's manufacturing capacity would have devastating consequences for the global economy.
China's chip strategy and technology acquisition
China has pursued an aggressive strategy to acquire chip technology, including stealing technology, buying foreign companies, and investing heavily in the domestic chip industry. The US and other countries have responded by implementing export controls and restrictions on advanced chip sales to China.
The global chip shortage and its impact
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a global chip shortage, mainly due to the unexpected shift in demand. Car companies experienced significant disruptions in production due to the shortage of chips. The chip industry's dependence on Taiwan and the concentrated supply chain became more apparent during this time.
Chip War: How semiconductors became the new oil with Chris Miller
Semi-conductors, microchips, are the new oil - the scarce resource on which the modern world depends. Today, military, economic, and geopolitical power are built on a foundation of computer chips. This has only accelerated with the emergence of AI. Yet, the supply chain is incredibly concentrated with just a handful of countries and companies dominating. As with oil in the previous century, chips sit at the center of geopolitics, great-power rivalry and trade, especially between the US and China. How did chips become some crucial and their supply chains so concentrated and what does it mean for all our futures? Our guest is economic historian Chris Miller, author of Chip War - The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology, the New York Times best seller.
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