Chris Miller, Tufts Professor and author,  explains how semiconductors—those tiny chips inside your phone, car, and coffee maker—have become the most critical technology in the world. Today’s global economy, military power, and AI breakthroughs all hinge on who makes the chips and where.
 
In this episode, Dr. Miller explores how the chip industry evolved from independent manufacturing giants to specialized global supply chains and why that’s both a strength and a vulnerability. He breaks down the growing competition between the U.S. and China, the geopolitical risk of relying on Taiwan, and why the future of AI depends not just on better software but on smarter, faster hardware.
 
💡 Topics Covered:
Why semiconductors are the backbone of modern technology
 
The shift from integrated chip companies to design vs. manufacturing specialization
 
How legacy companies like Intel lost ground and what it means for the U.S.
 
The U.S./China tech rivalry and supply chain vulnerabilities
 
AI’s explosive growth and the chip race driving it
 
The surprising role of immigration in America’s tech dominance
 
Why even automakers and retailers are becoming chip-aware
Learn more in Dr. Miller’s book, Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology: https://www.christophermiller.net/books

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The Promise and Peril of Computer Chips with Tufts Professor Chris Miller

MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) Alliances serves as a gateway into the lab for industry and governmental institutions seeking a closer connection to the work, researchers, and students of CSAIL. Our podcast aims to provide inside access to topics covered by CSAIL and other leaders advancing computer science and AI research.

The Promise and Peril of Computer Chips with Tufts Professor Chris Miller

MIT CSAIL Alliances