Pegatron Chairman Dismisses OpenAI CEO’s US$7 Trillion Chip Plan as Whimsical
Pegatron Chairman Tung Tzu-hsien recently expressed skepticism towards OpenAI CEO Sam Altman’s ambitious US$7 trillion plan to transform the global semiconductor industry, describing it as whimsical and warning of potential oversupply issues.
Tung highlighted the massive scale of Altman’s proposed investment, which is nearly 10 times Taiwan’s GDP, suggesting that allocating such significant funds to research in areas like nuclear fusion and green power could have a more impactful and practical outcome for the world.
Labeling Altman’s figure as unrealistic, Tung emphasized the importance of strategic planning and collaboration within the industry, noting that simply pouring money into the sector would not guarantee the desired outcomes due to the complex nature of semiconductor production.
In a similar vein, Huang Chin-yung, founder of Digitimes, acknowledged the challenges posed by Altman’s proposal, suggesting that such an astronomical figure was necessary to shake up an industry dominated by a few key players, such as TSMC.
While TSMC holds a significant market share in semiconductor manufacturing, Huang pointed out that the company’s strong relationships with a wide range of core customers and ongoing investment in cutting-edge technologies could make it a formidable competitor for any potential challengers.
Both Tung and Huang agreed that surpassing TSMC would require long-term planning, substantial resources, and a fundamental shift in industry dynamics. Despite the hurdles, they acknowledged the importance of innovation and competition in driving progress within the semiconductor sector.
As Altman’s vision continues to spark debate within the industry, it remains to be seen whether his ambitious plan will catalyze significant changes or remain an aspirational goal in the ever-evolving world of technology and innovation.
