Motley Fool Money You Want Chips with That?
Nov 18, 2023
Chris Miller, a Professor at The Fletcher School and author of "Chip War," delves into the critically important world of semiconductors. He discusses the complexities of the semiconductor supply chain and how companies like Intel are pivoting towards foundries. Miller explores Taiwan's role as a key player through TSMC's balancing act of secrecy and trust. The conversation also highlights the intersection of semiconductors and geopolitical stability, particularly in the context of U.S.-China relations amid the AI arms race.
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Chip Industry Specialization
- Chip manufacturing split into design and manufacturing, like authors and printing presses.
- This specialization, realized by Lynn Conway and Carver Mead, enabled efficiency advances.
Taiwan's Semiconductor Focus
- Taiwan prioritized semiconductors to create jobs and become indispensable to the US.
- This strategy aimed to secure US support against China.
Morris Chang's Vision
- Morris Chang, foreseeing the foundry model, pitched it to Texas Instruments but was rejected.
- He later founded TSMC, a dedicated chip manufacturer.
