Lex Fridman Podcast full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1f-o0nqpEI
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GUEST BIO:
Dylan Patel is the founder of SemiAnalysis, a research & analysis company specializing in semiconductors, GPUs, CPUs, and AI hardware. Nathan Lambert is a research scientist at the Allen Institute for AI (Ai2) and the author of a blog on AI called Interconnects.

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Lex, perhaps it would be interesting to invite the ex-CEO of ASML. He retired last year, might be an interesting talk regarding chips, politics and the future of technology.

One very important aspect that the guest speakers have failed to mention is that a chip designer does NOT design a transistor!  He uses a transistor as a BLACK BOX for on/off switch to implement logic.  Thus, it falls upon a chip "manufacturer" like TSMC to DESIGN a transistor.  Though a transistor has been around since 1947, it's one thing to make one that is so big that one can hold between his fingers vs one that is only a few Nano-meters.  Remember, a virus is 100 nm.  We are looking at a "manufacturing" process multitude smaller than a virus!  When the geometry becomes smaller, a transistor often has to be re-designed, an endeavor costing BILLIONS OF DOLLARS!  TSMC can pay for this R&D because it is the biggest "manufacturer" in the world.  As long as TSMC can make the smallest transistors, big customers like Apple, NVIDIA, etc. keep coming back.  TSMC as a result can continue to pay for researching an even smaller transistor.  It's a POSITIVE-FEEDBACK LOOP that makes it almost impossible for a new entrant to break in!  Remember, a modern FAB costs 20 billion dollars to build, but that only makes you a ME-TOO.  Since no FAB in the world follows the standard process, ie. how to use the equipment, additional billions of dollars are needed to develop your own process.  Think of it like following a standard cookbook vs. a chef's secret recipe.  Then, it takes years to build a good working relationship with big clients like Apple, etc.  It's estimated that unless the U.S. government is willing to subsidize 1 trillion dollars over 10 years, U.S. fabs cannot unseat TSMC.  This is why Trump is forcing TSMC to setup FABs in the U.S. instead.  Can Trump simply point a gun to Taiwan to surrender TSMC's latest transistor architecture and process?  Yes and NO!  No two FABs are identical at nm precision even if they both have equipment of the same make and model.  Upon technology transfer from TSMC in Taiwan to the U.S., it would take the US FAB, even for TSMC in the U.S., 2 years to implement the IP!  Nothing can be plug-n-play at this precision.  By the time the U.S. FAB finishes implementing the IP transfer, TSMC in Taiwan will have leap forward to the next generation!

Been in Taiwan 25 years and own my own company here doing product development and sourcing. Every single thing you've ever seen or used in your life is made somewhere in Taiwan. Taiwan is not just tsmc. From callaway golf balls to yachts to drones to absolutely anything else. Millions of factories mostly single family owned. It's incredible here

As someone in the industry this guy is spot on.  All he says is accurate

12:16 pyongyang south korea? I think he meant seoul.

5 hours of that speed is so much info

Taiwan has human infrastructure no where else has. It took 40 Years to nurture by faith in the vision and leadership of Morris Chang!

Small sidenote, TSMC, Samsung, Intel and ASML actually work together in a research institute called "IMEC". It's not like they do all r&d on their own.

The Taiwanese people have an incredible work ethic.

This guy really does know his stuff

I wish he would have asianometry on the podcast.

I'mａTaiwanese and I can confirm that Dylan is right about us loll. We really work a lot and don't complain.

Dylan's breadth and depth of knowledge is truly remarkable considering his relative youth which would've made it difficult for insiders to open up and share.

I’m in the middle of the interviewing process for the Phoenix facility. So excited to see what happens!

Good book recommendation about this topic is : "Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology". It is covering the whole development of the semiconductor industry from the first integrated circuit to now.

thanks for these clips. the original was too long for me!

I think another company part of the semiconductor industry that makes the world go round is ASML, since they have an even stronger monopoly on photolythograpgy machines than TSMC has on chip manufacturing.

Around 21:30 , you come to realize that this guy is not just some T-shaped, over informed silicone manufacturing expert. He is extremely intelligent and well rounded in all regards. I could honestly listen to him speak for hours cause it’s just nonstop expertise

As an employee, the work ethic part is on point.