Asianometry Silicon Valley’s Doing Hard Things Again
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Sep 11, 2025 A recent visit to the Bay Area unveils the invigorating AI boom, marking a turning point in industry perceptions. The discussion spotlights innovations from the Hot Chips event, particularly in photonics and chip manufacturing. AI's transformative impact on the Software as a Service model is explored, with caution against market saturation. The challenges of materials discovery and robotics innovations highlight the boundary-pushing efforts of tech startups. Finally, the changing investment landscape reveals intriguing dynamics for the future of AI in Silicon Valley.
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AI Boom Reaches A Defining Phase
- The AI boom is entering its third year and feels like trajectories are locking in.
- Embracing the prevailing vibes matters because momentum shapes outcomes more than data alone.
Hot Chips Visit And Photonics Resurgence
- The host attended Hot Chips and found photonics panels and chip plays dominating conversation.
- Photonics resurfaced because AI's power demands are dragging new tech into relevance.
Rapidus Focuses On Speed Over Volume
- Rapidus aims for ultra-fast single-wafer turnarounds rather than high-volume 2nm scaling.
- They appear to lean on AI-driven flow and process co-optimization to achieve artisanal wafer speed.