The Battle for Chips
17 Jan 2024 15:00h - 15:45h
Event report
In a significant heightening of the battle for global pre-eminence in the semiconductor industry, export bans on certain types of advanced chips, including those used to develop AI, have come into effect.
What impact will these restrictions have on both innovation and the competitive landscape in advanced chipmaking as the industry takes centre stage in power relations between the major global economies?
More info @ WEF 2024.
Knowledge Graph of Debate
Session report
Full session report
Micky Adriaansens
The analysis of the speeches reveals several key points regarding trade, policy changes, technological leadership, cooperation, and their impact on various sectors. Firstly, there is a distinct shift from open trade to more guarded economies, indicating a transitioning phase in global trade dynamics. This shift is attributed to the changing geopolitical landscape and the need for countries to protect their interests. The argument is made that policy changes are essential to safeguard countries from the misuse of knowledge by ‘bad’ parties, highlighting the importance of industrial policies and knowledge protection measures.
To maintain technological leadership, it is emphasised that simply protecting borders is insufficient. Instead, investment in new technologies is necessary. Furthermore, cooperation with like-minded countries in the supply chain, particularly during the design phase, is deemed crucial for success.
Several positive developments are highlighted, such as the construction of a new TSMC factory in Germany, which signifies growing investment and interest in the semiconductor industry. The CHIPS Act in the European Union (EU) is also supported as a strategic move to strengthen the EU’s position in this field. Notably, ASML, a Dutch company, is praised as a European firm with extensive connections.
The need for Europe to focus more on critical technologies is highlighted, particularly semiconductors, due to their significant impact on national security. This supports the argument that Europe needs to take strategic actions in this domain. Additionally, the importance of collaboration with like-minded countries is emphasized, as it can lead to the development of stronger capabilities and promote shared interests.
The analysis also addresses the issue of energy consumption in relation to technologies such as AI chips. It is noted that AI data centers already contribute a significant portion to global energy emissions, and their energy consumption is projected to increase. This highlights the necessity of dealing with the energy consumption of AI chips and promoting initiatives that improve chip design and enhance energy efficiency in production processes.
Concerns are raised regarding the impact on climate policy due to the inevitable increase in chip energy consumption. It is argued that climate policy should anticipate and address this issue to mitigate any negative consequences.
The dependency of the Dutch economy on open trade is emphasized, indicating the necessity for the Netherlands to explore new perspectives in trading. The shift towards less open trade and its implications for welfare are seen as negative factors.
The analysis concludes by highlighting the importance of finding like-minded countries, parties, and companies to build capabilities. It is suggested that such collaboration is essential for global cooperation and overall welfare. Additionally, the need for careful and strategic actions is emphasized.
Overall, the analysis provides insights into the current state of global trade, policy changes, technological advancements, and the significance of cooperation in various sectors. It underscores the importance of investment in critical technologies, energy consumption concerns, and the role of collaboration in shaping global strategies and partnerships.
Ashwini Vaishnaw
India is placing a strong emphasis on developing a comprehensive ecosystem for the semiconductor industry. The country boasts a large talent pool of approximately 300,000 design engineers, establishing a strong foundation for semiconductor development. The focus is on enhancing design capabilities, as India aims to transition from being a back office to developing complete chips.
In terms of chip production, India is targeting the demand for 28 nanometres and above segments. This includes catering to various sectors such as automotive, telecoms, power electronics, and train sets. By focusing on these specific segments, India aims to meet the significant demand and create a niche for itself in the semiconductor market.
In recognising the dynamic nature of the technology sector, India takes a pragmatic approach by prioritising adaptation to evolving market trends. This includes capturing market share in the currently viable 28 nanometres and above segment, rather than solely pursuing cutting-edge technologies. Expert opinions support this strategy, highlighting the importance of understanding and responding to the market’s evolving needs.
India actively seeks global cooperation and works to establish trust-based collaborations with various countries. The country has signed a memorandum of cooperation with the US, Europe, Japan, and is engaged with the South Korean government and companies. The willingness of numerous companies to collaborate with India reflects its positive reputation and its commitment to fostering global partnerships.
With the goal of advancing its semiconductor industry, India recognises the importance of talent development and continuously upgrading course curriculums. Collaborations with companies like Applied Materials further contribute to nurturing skilled professionals within the ecosystem.
India’s industrialisation plan for the semiconductor sector extends beyond manufacturing. The establishment of a renewable energy plant is a pivotal component. This plant, set to be the largest at a single location with a capacity of 30,000 megawatts, will provide green energy for manufacturing processes, including semiconductors and data centres. This commitment to renewable energy aligns with India’s broader sustainability goals, specifically SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Addressing power consumption concerns in the semiconductor industry, India is actively engaged in research on advanced packaging technology. This research explores innovative packaging and design solutions that mitigate power consumption, ensuring responsible consumption and production in line with SDG 12.
Notably, the importance of collaboration and technology transfer with like-minded countries is acknowledged as a key factor in the semiconductor industry’s progress. By working closely with countries that share similar objectives and values, India seeks to expedite development in this field. Additionally, India advocates for providing more opportunities, investments, and technology to countries with greater potential, aligning with the principles of reduced inequalities outlined in SDG 10.
In conclusion, India’s strategic approach to developing a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem demonstrates a commitment to technological advancement, sustainable industrialisation, and global collaboration. By leveraging its talented engineers, focusing on targeted segments, adapting to market dynamics, and fostering partnerships, India aims to position itself as a significant player in the semiconductor industry while contributing to various sustainable development goals.
Chris Miller
The chip industry is of high importance, with a particular focus on countries such as India, Taiwan, and South Korea. India is following the successful paths of Taiwan and South Korea in developing its chip industry. These two countries began developing their chip industries half a century ago and are now among the world leaders. India’s chip industry development is seen positively, with significant interest from investors throughout the supply chain. Companies like Apple are even moving their iPhone assembly to India, and design firms are investing in the country.
While reorienting the supply chain will take time due to historical investment structures, the importance of chip design is emphasized. Most of the money in the chip industry goes to chip designers, challenging the notion that manufacturing is the most vital aspect.
Government subsidies on chip manufacturing have a marginally positive impact on AI developers. Subsidizing chip manufacturing reduces production costs, making it more accessible for AI development. However, US restrictions on advanced chips have negative consequences for countries like China, limiting their access to essential components. This policy is seen as a means to limit China’s access to advanced technology and maintain a competitive advantage.
Geopolitical issues also play a role in the chip industry. Technological competition is influenced by geopolitics, with technology being downstream of these factors.
The potential impact of losing access to Taiwan’s chip manufacturing capacity is a significant concern. A disruption in Taiwan could cost up to $10 trillion. Taiwan leads in the production of advanced processor chips, manufacturing 90% of them. Dependence on Taiwan’s chip manufacturing and its complex international supply chain poses risks to the global economy.
To mitigate these risks, countries are taking measures such as the US CHIPS Act, the EU CHIPS Act, and Japanese policies. These initiatives address the concentration and dependence on Taiwan for advanced chips, but their implementation would take time and have significant economic impacts.
There is a focus on energy-efficient chips in the industry. The demand for energy efficiency arises from the need for longer battery life and reduced energy costs across various computing use cases. There is a belief in the industry’s ability to continue economizing on energy and manufacturing more efficient chips.
Rapidly increasing chip production rates face barriers. Building facilities, acquiring tools, and training the workforce require time and resources. Significant spending alone is not a solution without adequate time to equip and educate the workforce.
Diversifying chip production is seen as an insurance policy against disruptions. By reducing dependency on a single country or manufacturer, like Taiwan’s TSMC, countries can mitigate risks and ensure a more resilient industry.
The chip industry exhibits globalization despite talks of deglobalization in other sectors. Companies like Intel and TSMC are investing in different countries, showcasing further globalization and a division into a China sphere and a non-China sphere.
In summary, the chip industry’s growth and development, along with the complex geopolitical landscape, present both opportunities and challenges. Countries must consider various factors, such as design, manufacturing, supply chain structures, subsidies, restrictions, and geopolitical dynamics, to navigate this industry successfully.
Nicholas Thompson
The analysis reveals several key points and arguments related to the global semiconductor industry. One of the main concerns raised by Nicholas Thompson is about the global benefit of US subsidies for the chip industry. He questions whether other countries would support this initiative, as the US industry is highly subsidised. This suggests that there may be opposition to the US investment as it could give them an unfair advantage.
Another important issue highlighted is the potential conflicts of interest that could arise once India starts manufacturing high-end chips. The complexity of international relationships and partnerships with countries like the US and China could lead to complications in this regard. It is suggested that careful consideration needs to be given to these dynamics to avoid any diplomatic conflicts and ensure smooth collaborations.
The impact of government policies on chip availability and cost for AI companies is also discussed. Nicholas Thompson questions whether these policies are beneficial for AI companies and developers in terms of chip availability and affordability. This raises concerns about the potential hindrance these policies may have on the growth and development of the AI industry.
The analysis also touches upon the implications of US restrictions on Huawei and AI technology. It is suggested that these restrictions may inadvertently accelerate Huawei’s technological development, leading to a potential global technology split. Huawei may start producing their own chips instead of relying on companies like NVIDIA or ASML, which could increase their capacity and impact the global technology landscape.
Cooperation across Europe in chip manufacturing is seen as crucial for the advancement of technology in the region. The European Union allows for inter-country collaborations, and the use of parts from different countries, such as Germany and Zeiss, in the manufacturing process is highlighted. This cooperation is deemed necessary to ensure progress and innovation in chip manufacturing.
Concerns about the environmental impact of AI and chips are also noted. It is highlighted that AI data centres contribute to energy emissions, and the increase in AI usage may further contribute to environmental issues. This raises the need for more climate-friendly solutions in technology to mitigate the environmental impact.
Additionally, there is criticism of the focus on catching up in the semiconductor industry rather than investing in quantum chips or next-gen chips. The CHIPS Act and the Biden administration’s policy are questioned for not adequately prioritising the development of these innovative chips. The argument is made that quantum chips may need to be funded by entities like the US government or research universities to ensure their progress.
In conclusion, the analysis delves into various important aspects of the global semiconductor industry. It raises concerns about the global benefit of US subsidies, potential conflicts of interest in India’s chip manufacturing, the impact of government policies on AI companies, implications of US restrictions on Huawei, the need for cooperation in Europe, environmental concerns, and the critique of the focus on catching up rather than investing in innovative chips. These insights provide a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities within the semiconductor industry.
Arati Prabhakar
The US has implemented a series of policies and allocated significant funding to strengthen its semiconductor manufacturing industry. The focus of these efforts is to gain economic and national security advantages in this critical sector. The Chips and Science Act, passed by Congress, specifically targets semiconductor manufacturing in the US. A total of $52 billion has been allotted, with $39 billion for manufacturing incentives and the remaining funds dedicated to research and development (R&D).
However, there are concerns about the concentration of the semiconductor industry in one region, which poses risks both geopolitically and in terms of vulnerability to natural shocks. The industry’s dominance in Taiwan, particularly through companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), has caused a strategic gap in the American semiconductor capability. This has led to calls for the US to strengthen its domestic chip-making capacity as a solution to mitigate this risk.
Another issue highlighted is the reliance on subsidies from other nations. While the US was the only country that did not initially subsidise semiconductor manufacturing, subsidies have become the standard practice in other nations. The argument is made that subsidies are vital for sustaining semiconductor manufacturing in a globally competitive market.
Collaboration with global partners is considered crucial, not only for economic and national security advantages but also for the robustness of supply chains and the distribution of manufacturing jobs. The US aims to work with partners around the world to ensure a globally distributed supply chain and to reap the benefits of global partnership.
Export controls and regulations are also an important aspect of the semiconductor industry. The US has implemented export control policies to influence the direction of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, particularly in relation to China’s military ambitions. The export controls specifically target military capabilities that China is developing using AI.
The importance of semiconductors in the economy is recognised, as they are essential for electronics and technology industries. The concentration of semiconductor manufacturing in certain regions is seen as a potential vulnerability. To address this issue, the US implemented the CHIPS Act, which aims to reduce the reliance on international chip suppliers and fill the strategic gap in American semiconductor capability.
In conclusion, the US has been actively focusing on strengthening its semiconductor manufacturing industry to gain economic and national security advantages. However, there are concerns about the concentration of the industry in one region and the reliance on subsidies. Collaboration with global partners, the need for a globally distributed supply chain, and the importance of export controls are also crucial aspects. The implementation of the CHIPS Act demonstrates the US government’s commitment to addressing the potential risks and vulnerabilities associated with semiconductor manufacturing.
Speakers
AP
Arati Prabhakar
Speech speed
200 words per minute
Speech length
2334 words
Speech time
701 secs
AV
Ashwini Vaishnaw
Speech speed
169 words per minute
Speech length
1285 words
Speech time
456 secs
CM
Chris Miller
Speech speed
255 words per minute
Speech length
1611 words
Speech time
380 secs
MA
Micky Adriaansens
Speech speed
201 words per minute
Speech length
1066 words
Speech time
319 secs
NT
Nicholas Thompson
Speech speed
241 words per minute
Speech length
2842 words
Speech time
709 secs
Related event
