Sharp Tech with Ben Thompson Intel and the US Semi Future, Will Any Big Tech Incumbents Lose in an AI World?, Questions on Tea, Grok, and The Ringer
94 snips
Jul 30, 2025 The podcast dives deep into Intel's struggles in semiconductor manufacturing, highlighting its competition with TSMC and AMD. There's a fascinating discussion on AI's transformative impact on Big Tech, examining if established companies can keep up with startups. The hosts dissect Google's growth in cloud computing and its strategic edge. Additionally, the contrast between The Ringer and Grantland unveils insights into the evolving media landscape. They also tackle the debates surrounding digital storage solutions with humor and real-life anecdotes.
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Intel Needs External Customers
- Intel's strategy to rely solely on internal product volume for their leading-edge manufacturing is unsustainable.
- Volume from external customers is critical to absorb rising capital costs and maintain competitiveness.
Intel's Culture Hinders Foundry Role
- Intel's fully integrated model historically allowed less focus on yield and efficiency.
- This culture is a liability now as customer-centric foundry services require high yield and operational excellence.
Intel Lacks Customer Service Culture
- Intel's lack of customer service focus inhibits its ability to attract external foundry customers.
- This makes the US leading-edge manufacturing ecosystem increasingly a two-player game with Samsung and TSMC.
