2024-01-20 21:30:10
The demand for semiconductors has never been greater. These increasingly small electronic chips are everywhere: in cars, household appliances, computers… Since the Covid pandemic revealed the dependence of most industries on Asian manufacturers, all the powers want factories to residence. A demand further reinforced by the rush towards artificial intelligence. Semiconductors have advanced since TSMC said Wednesday (Jan. 17) that it anticipates solid demand for chips in artificial intelligence (AI).
Published on: 01/20/2024 – 8:30 p.m.
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The semiconductor production chain is complex. At the very beginning, for example, we find the Dutch ASML which produces the enormous machines capable of manufacturing semiconductors. As Françoise Nicolas, researcher at IFRI and director of the Asia center, points out, at the other end of the chain, the Taiwanese TSMC is just as essential: “ TSMC is also essential to the chain to another piece of the chain because they are the ones who are able to use the machines to engrave very fine ».
This explains why the Taiwanese manufacturer is so popular despite the geopolitical tensions around the island. TSMC must therefore open a factory in a month in Japan while Tokyo has invested 13 billion dollars to ensure its independence in this strategic area.
TSMC is also due to open a first factory this year in Europe, in Germany precisely, and two factories in the United States, in Arizona. The first is due to start producing next year, but the second has fallen behind schedule and will not open before 2027, much to the chagrin of Joe Biden.
The manufacturer is also being courted by the new powers of artificial intelligence. According to the Financial Times, Sam Altman, the boss of OpenAI, is said to have entered into discussions with TSMC and the financial powers of the Gulf to secure the specialized semiconductor needs of the company behind ChatGPT.
Also read: Battle of the semiconductors: cutting-edge technology manufacturer ASML trapped by the war between Washington and Beijing
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