The Interconnect
Chips and the Future of Computing
Feb 13, 2025
Mark Horowitz, a leading semiconductor expert and Chair of Electrical Engineering at Stanford, joins Sebastian Elbaum, a technologist focused on AI implications, to discuss the future of computing. They dive into the evolving landscape of chip manufacturing, the challenges posed by diminishing returns of Moore's Law, and how hardware strides are essential for AI advancement. Their conversation navigates the geopolitics of semiconductor exports, the need for a skilled workforce, and the exciting, yet cautious, outlook on quantum computing.
29:40
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Quick takeaways
- The limitations of Moore's Law are prompting a vital shift towards optimizing both software and hardware efficiency to ensure future advancements in computing power.
- U.S. semiconductor restrictions on China highlight the need to balance national security interests with fostering global collaboration and developing a skilled domestic workforce.
Deep dives
The Future of Moore's Law
Moore's Law, initially observed by Gordon Moore in 1965, suggested that the number of transistors on a chip would double approximately every two years, leading to exponential increases in processing power at constant costs. However, recent trends indicate that this scaling may be reaching its limits, as the cost per transistor has not decreased as expected. This change complicates expectations around computing costs and efficiency, impacting everything from consumer electronics to military technology. As manufacturers face both physical and economic challenges in pushing these limits, a shift toward optimizing software and hardware efficiency will become crucial.
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