Limitless Podcast This Week in AI: China's Lithography Heist // The Lunar Mass Driver // $15 Billion Deals
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Dec 19, 2025 The podcast dives into the competitive landscape of lithography, spotlighting a potential Chinese challenge to ASML's dominance. They explore Elon Musk's futuristic lunar mass driver concept, which could revolutionize space transport costs. The discussion also critiques Waymo's massive fundraising amidst stiff competition from Tesla. Amazon's hefty $10 billion investment in OpenAI raises questions about sustainable funding, while Google's Gemini 3 exploits its search edge. Plus, advancements in organ preservation technology are highlighted, promising a brighter future for healthcare.
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ASML's Invisible Monopoly Is Existential Risk
- ASML currently holds a de facto 100% monopoly on EUV lithography, making it the single linchpin for advanced chip production.
- A Chinese prototype and startups like Substrate signal the beginning of diversification away from that central dependency.
China's Rapid EUV Prototype Upsets Supply Chains
- China reportedly built a working EUV prototype in under five years using ex-ASML talent and unknown methods.
- If verified, that breakthrough could shift tens of billions in market value and chip supply chains globally.
Multiple Paths To Break Lithography Monopoly
- Substrate and US efforts aim to reinvent lithography using alternative physics like particle accelerators.
- The race likely splits the monopoly into competing geopolitical camps rather than a single disruptor.