The Circuit Episode 118: Weekly Update (Tariffs), AI Budget Spend, Semis and Saudi's
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May 19, 2025 Hosts dive into the turbulence of the semiconductor industry, focusing on U.S.-China tariff negotiations and their potential implications. They discuss the fragile supply chain and its impact on national security and AI investments. Exciting advancements in co-packaged optics technology potently reduce power use in servers. Listener's ears perk up as they explore Saudi Arabia's hefty investments in AI infrastructure and the emerging concepts of 'sovereign AI' and data sovereignty amid the global tech race.
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Tariffs Cause Cost Without Clear Gains
- Semiconductor tariffs remain uncertain with no clear resolution yet in sight.
- Tariffs add costs without clear gains in reshoring or supply chain stability.
AI Budgets Stay Resilient
- AI infrastructure budgets remain strong despite tariff concerns.
- Budget cuts are likely to hit other hardware areas, not AI deployments.
Broadcom Advances Co-packaged Optics
- Broadcom leads with advanced third-generation co-packaged optics, reducing power and cost.
- This innovation helps chiplet designs offset the inherent power trade-offs of disaggregation.