The Circuit

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the current state of the semiconductor industry, focusing on tariffs, AI budgets, and advancements in technology. They explore the implications of recent tariff discussions, the impact on supply chains, and the ongoing investment in AI infrastructure, particularly in Saudi Arabia. The conversation also highlights the evolution of AI factories and the need for localized infrastructure to meet national security and data sovereignty concerns.

In this episode, Ben and Jay welcome Patrick McGee, author of 'Apple in China', who discusses his extensive research on Apple's relationship with China. The conversation explores how Apple's investments and manufacturing strategies have significantly influenced China's technological landscape, as well as the cultural impact of Apple products in China. Patrick shares insights from his book, detailing the evolution of Apple's supply chain and the pivotal role of Foxconn in Apple's success. In this conversation, Patrick McGee discusses the intricate relationship between Apple and its supply chain, particularly focusing on Foxconn and Chinese manufacturers. He highlights how Apple's business model has influenced the manufacturing landscape in China, the challenges of replicating this model elsewhere, and the critical role of TSMC in Apple's operations. The discussion also touches on the implications of IP transfer and the impact of Tesla in the EV industry, showcasing the broader effects of Apple's strategies on global manufacturing and economics.

In this episode, Ben and Jay discuss the latest earnings reports from Apple and Qualcomm, focusing on the implications of tariffs, supply chain resilience, and the shifting landscape of semiconductor manufacturing. They explore Apple's confidence in its business despite uncertainties, the significant manufacturing shift to India, and Qualcomm's diversification strategy in the IoT and automotive sectors. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities both companies face in a rapidly evolving market. In this conversation, Jay Goldberg and Ben discuss the current state of the semiconductor industry, focusing on cost management strategies, Intel's advancements in foundry technology, and the competitive landscape with TSMC. They explore the implications of new technologies like Power Via and the shift towards chiplet architecture. Additionally, they delve into the concept of AI factories and how they represent a new approach to data center infrastructure, transforming it from a cost center to a profit center.

In this episode, Ben and Jay discuss Intel's recent earnings report, the implications of leadership changes, and the market's reaction. They delve into the challenges of workforce reductions, the need for cultural shifts within the company, and the importance of empowering engineers. The conversation also covers Intel's AI strategy, foundry developments, and the impact of global tariffs on the semiconductor industry.

In this episode, Ben and Jay discuss the current state of the semiconductor market, focusing on the impact of tariffs, the upcoming earnings season, and the potential for sector rotation amidst economic uncertainty. They explore how companies are navigating these challenges, particularly in relation to AI demand and capital expenditures, while also considering Nvidia's position in the market. In this conversation, Ben and Jay discuss the implications of tariffs on various sectors, particularly focusing on AI and the analog chip industry. They explore how supply chains may need to adapt to new tariff regulations and the potential impact on consumer electronics prices. The discussion also delves into Intel's organizational changes and the anxiety surrounding potential layoffs, as well as TSMC's earnings and its position in the semiconductor market amidst changing demand dynamics.

In this conversation, Jay Goldberg interviews Amir Panoush, CEO of CEVA, discussing the evolution of the company, its role in the semiconductor industry, and the importance of digital signal processing (DSP) technology. They explore Siva's market segments, customer base, and the company's value proposition compared to competitors like ARM. The discussion also covers the integration of AI at the edge, new customer partnerships, and the emerging satellite market. Amir shares insights on management strategies in an IP-focused company and outlines future directions for CEVA.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg are joined by special guest Michelle Johnston, CEO of Intel products.  They discuss the new culture shift at Intel, how Intel can use this new approach to compete and innovate in AI, how to invigorate x86 and Intel Architecture, and the opportunity for both product and foundry in the chiplet era. 

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg engage with Simi Sherman and Chaim Eisenberg from Chips and Wafers to explore the intricacies of the semiconductor industry. They discuss the importance of both qualitative and quantitative analysis in understanding market trends, the challenges of data collection, and the unique insights their company provides. The conversation delves into the competitive landscape of ASICs versus GPUs, the significance of tracking various data points, and how this information can be leveraged for predictive analysis in investments. In this conversation, Simi Sherman and Ben Bajarin delve into the intricacies of investment data, emphasizing the importance of using the right data points for informed decision-making. They discuss specific company examples, the predictive power of data, and the evolving landscape of the semiconductor industry, particularly the shift towards disaggregated designs and chiplets. The conversation highlights the gap between investor expectations and company performance, and concludes with insights into how analysts can leverage data to build a clearer picture of future trends.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent GTC event, highlighting its shift from graphics technology to a focus on AI and robotics. They share their emotional responses to the keynote, the crowded atmosphere, and their disillusionment with the lack of new AI demos. The conversation delves into Jensen Huang's defensive stance during the keynote, Nvidia's identity crisis, and the company's significant investments in R&D. They conclude by reflecting on the growing influence of GTC and its importance in the tech industry.

In this conversation, Jay Goldberg and Austin Lyons delve into the emergence of Deep Seek, an AI lab that has gained attention for its innovative models and unique approach to AI development. They discuss the origins of Deep Seek, its self-funded nature, and the implications of its advancements in the context of geopolitical constraints. The conversation highlights the lab's offerings, including its reasoning models and mixture of experts, and explores how Deep Seek has managed to innovate despite hardware limitations. The discussion also touches on the future of AI scaling and the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of simply increasing computational resources. In this conversation, Austin Lyons and Jay Goldberg discuss the advancements in AI, particularly focusing on Deep Seek's contributions to scaling AI models, improving training efficiency, and the implications of these innovations on the market dynamics. They explore how Deep Seek has demonstrated that there are still many avenues for enhancing AI capabilities, despite the prevailing belief that the field has plateaued. The discussion also delves into the technical aspects of training and inference efficiency, the challenges faced by AI labs, and the importance of hardware optimization. Ultimately, they conclude that while Deep Seek is making significant strides, it does not pose a direct threat to established players like OpenAI.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, reflecting on its relevance in the current tech landscape, particularly in the telecom and semiconductor industries. They explore the shift in focus from traditional mobile technologies to AI and data centers, the challenges faced by telecom operators, and the evolving role of software in the industry. The conversation also touches on Qualcomm's positioning, the dynamics of network processors, and humorous observations about the latest innovations, including humanoid robots and AI avatars. Finally, they tease an upcoming discussion about Apple's modem technology and its implications for the market. In this conversation, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent earnings reports of Marvell and Broadcom, analyzing the competitive dynamics in the semiconductor market. They delve into Marvell's challenges with customer relationships and market positioning, contrasting it with Broadcom's strategic advantages. The discussion also touches on the implications of Apple's product updates and the overall market sentiment regarding capital expenditures and technology investments.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss Nvidia's recent earnings report, market reactions, and the implications for the future of AI and the company's stock performance. They analyze the current state of Nvidia's business, including product segmentation, enterprise demand, and geopolitical factors affecting the market. The conversation also touches on the volatility of Nvidia's stock and the behavior of retail investors in the context of AI advancements.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss Apple's recent announcement of their C1 modem and the new iPhone 16E. They explore the implications of Apple's entry into modem technology, the positioning of the iPhone 16E in the market, and the potential impact on Qualcomm. The conversation also delves into the integration of modem technology within Apple's ecosystem and the future of 5G in Apple's products. In this conversation, Jay Goldberg and Ben Bajarin discuss the strategic moves of major tech companies like Apple and Broadcom, the ongoing challenges faced by Intel, and the implications of government intervention in the semiconductor industry. They also delve into the current state of the AI market, particularly focusing on Microsoft and Nvidia, and speculate on future earnings and market dynamics.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg delve into the ongoing debate between ASICs and GPUs in the AI compute landscape, discussing the implications for companies like NVIDIA and AMD. They explore the role of custom silicon in hyperscalers' strategies and the potential for GPUs to regain market share. The conversation then shifts to the often-overlooked world of analog semiconductors, highlighting their significance in various applications, including automotive and robotics. The hosts emphasize the need for a deeper understanding of analog technology as it becomes increasingly relevant in the evolving tech landscape.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent earnings reports of Qualcomm, AMD, and Arm, analyzing the surprising market reactions and investor expectations. They delve into Qualcomm's strong quarter but puzzling stock performance, AMD's ongoing struggle to establish itself in the AI market, and Arm's critical yet underappreciated role in the AI ecosystem. The conversation highlights the shifting dynamics in technology investments and the challenges companies face in meeting heightened investor expectations. In this conversation, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the complexities surrounding Arm's intellectual property (IP) and its market dynamics, the confusion in revenue metrics, and the expectations investors have regarding growth. They delve into the trends in capital expenditures (CapEx) among major tech companies and the dual nature of cloud revenue, distinguishing between traditional cloud services and emerging AI workloads. The discussion also highlights the critical role NVIDIA plays in the AI market and the challenges it faces in meeting demand.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the latest earnings reports from major tech companies, focusing on their strategies related to AI and the semiconductor industry. They analyze Microsoft's approach to AI, Meta's success in monetizing AI, Apple's challenges in the current market, and Intel's uncertain position in the semiconductor landscape. The conversation highlights the ongoing evolution of AI and its implications for these companies' futures. In this conversation, Jay Goldberg and Ben Bajarin discuss Intel's recent earnings report, highlighting mixed results and ongoing challenges within the company. They delve into the implications of the CEO search, investor sentiment, and the strategic direction Intel must take moving forward, particularly in the context of AI and CPU innovation. The discussion emphasizes the need for a clear strategy and the importance of focusing on core competencies to navigate the competitive landscape.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent market reactions to DeepSeek's AI model, its implications for the AI landscape, and the future of AI infrastructure investments. They explore the efficiency of DeepSeek's training methods, the skepticism surrounding AI valuations, and the potential of ambient agents in AI development. The conversation highlights the complexities of AI technology and the uncertainty in predicting its future applications.

In part two of this conversation, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss TSMC's recent quarterly performance, highlighting its strong growth driven by AI and changing dynamics in chip manufacturing. They explore the implications of AI on TSMC's business model, the challenges faced by NVIDIA in data center transitions, and the future of ASICs and custom chips. The discussion also touches on Intel's relationship with TSMC, the impact of edge AI, and ongoing acquisition rumors in the semiconductor industry.

In this episode of The Circuit, hosts Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg welcome Jordan Schneider, founder of China Talk, to discuss the evolving landscape of US-China technology relations, particularly focusing on semiconductor restrictions. Schneider provides insights into the recent regulations imposed by the Biden administration, the motivations behind these changes, and the potential effectiveness of these measures in slowing down China's technological advancements. The conversation also explores the challenges and workarounds that Chinese companies may employ to navigate these restrictions, as well as the implications for the future of AI and semiconductor innovation. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the evolving landscape of AI technology, focusing on the competition between the US and China, the implications of hardware and software advancements, and the regulatory challenges faced by companies like Nvidia. They explore the potential for new technological paradigms and the impact of corporate pushback against AI regulations, while also considering the future dynamics of AI on a global scale.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg reflect on their experiences at CES, discussing the varying levels of AI integration and the prevalence of AI washing. They explore the future of robotics, emphasizing a turning point in humanoid robotics and the potential for AI to enhance these technologies. The conversation shifts to the advancements in AR/VR technologies, highlighting the impact of the Chinese ecosystem on innovation and affordability. Finally, they delve into the semiconductor investment landscape, stressing the importance of technical understanding in evaluating companies within this sector.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss their predictions for 2025, focusing on market trends, investment strategies, and the impact of AI on various sectors. They explore the implications of the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the potential for growth in semiconductor stocks, and the importance of software revenue in AI deployments. The conversation also touches on consumer electronics trends, the future of AR glasses, and the aerospace and military spending landscape. Finally, they speculate on the likelihood of a foldable iPhone release in the near future.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the current state of the semiconductor market as they transition from 2024 to 2025. They analyze Nvidia's growth trajectory, the challenges faced by AMD and Intel, and the performance of other key players like Apple and Broadcom. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on the semiconductor industry, the role of custom ASICs versus GPUs, and the future of cloud software in relation to hyperscalers like Microsoft and Google. The hosts provide insights into market trends and expectations for the upcoming year, emphasizing the importance of understanding the evolving landscape of technology and investment opportunities.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent Marvell Industry Analyst Day, focusing on the concept of accelerated infrastructure in data centers, the competitive landscape with Broadcom, and the significance of custom HBM in AI silicon. They explore how Marvell is positioning itself as a data center company and the implications of custom solutions in the evolving semiconductor industry. The conversation also touches on Nvidia's dominance and the future of data centers, emphasizing the need for optimization and the potential for a shift back to more affordable solutions. In this conversation, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent developments surrounding Broadcom, particularly its stock surge attributed to optimism in AI. They delve into the company's market position, the significance of data center design, and the distinction between Total Addressable Market (TAM) and Serviceable Addressable Market (SAM). The discussion also covers the critical role of networking in AI, the rise of million-node data centers, and Broadcom's strategy regarding M&A and custom silicon. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of AI and the competitive dynamics between major players in the industry.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the unexpected retirement of Pat Gelsinger from Intel and its implications for the company's future. They explore the strategic direction Intel may take post-Gelsinger, the challenges of leadership transition, and the importance of product focus versus foundry operations. The conversation delves into the need for a growth strategy in a competitive landscape and the potential paths forward for Intel as it navigates these changes. In this conversation, Jay Goldberg and Ben Bajarin discuss the current state and future of Intel, focusing on its CPU market position, the challenges it faces with its Foundry strategy, and the implications of TSMC's market power. They explore the sentiment surrounding Intel, the role of the board in shaping its future, and the technological optimism tied to upcoming products. The discussion highlights the need for competitive foundries in the semiconductor industry and the potential consequences of TSMC's dominance.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss Qualcomm's recent Analyst Day and NVIDIA's earnings report. They analyze Qualcomm's shift towards becoming a compute-centric company, the challenges in the smartphone market, and the potential growth in automotive and IoT sectors. The conversation then shifts to NVIDIA, where they explore the implications of its recent earnings, the end of its rapid growth phase, and the competitive landscape in inference technology. The hosts emphasize the importance of execution for Qualcomm and the evolving dynamics in the semiconductor industry.

In this enlightening conversation, Ben Bajarin hosts Apple executives Tom Boger and Tim Millet to discuss the significance of Apple Silicon in the company's product ecosystem. They delve into the relentless pursuit of performance per watt, the integration of hardware and software, and Apple's unique approach to AI and on-device intelligence. The discussion also covers how Apple manages to push performance boundaries in a landscape where Moore's Law is slowing down, emphasizing the importance of architecture, design, and technology in their strategy.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss recent earnings reports from Arm and Qualcomm, analyzing market reactions and the implications of ongoing lawsuits. They delve into Qualcomm's diversification strategy, particularly in the automotive sector, and the potential impact of political changes on semiconductor policy. The conversation also touches on Nvidia's strong demand and supply constraints, highlighting the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the challenges ahead.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the latest earnings reports from AMD and Intel, focusing on market expectations, performance, and the challenges faced by both companies. They analyze AMD's struggle to meet high investor expectations in the AI market and Intel's ongoing turnaround efforts under CEO Pat Gelsinger, highlighting the balance between financial prudence and technological leadership. The conversation also touches on the mixed reactions from the market regarding Intel's recent earnings and the implications for its future. In this conversation, Jay Goldberg and Ben Bajarin discuss Intel's recent financial strategies, particularly focusing on their gross margins and the implications of their decisions. They delve into the cultural challenges within Intel that may affect its future, and explore the dynamics of the mobile technology market, including the performance of companies like MediaTek, Corvo, and Qualcomm.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the Qualcomm Snapdragon Summit, highlighting the company's return to custom cores, advancements in AI integration, and innovations in automotive technology. They also delve into the competitive landscape of automotive software, Qualcomm's branding evolution, and the ongoing legal drama with ARM regarding licensing issues. The conversation provides insights into the semiconductor industry and Qualcomm's strategic positioning in the market. In this conversation, Jay Goldberg and Ben Bajarin delve into the complexities of the ongoing contract dispute between ARM and Qualcomm, exploring the broader implications for the tech industry, particularly in terms of intellectual property (IP) litigation. They discuss the necessity for collaboration between major players in the semiconductor space and examine ARM's growth potential in various markets, including data centers and automotive. The conversation also touches on insights from the recent RISC-V Summit, highlighting the current state and future prospects of RISC-V technology in the industry.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent earnings reports from major semiconductor companies, focusing on ASML's disappointing results and TSMC's optimistic outlook. They explore the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry, the implications of Intel and AMD's collaboration on x86 architecture, and the competitive pressures from ARM. The conversation highlights the complexities of the market and the challenges faced by these companies in navigating demand and supply dynamics. The conversation delves into the dynamics of Intel's marketing strategies, the significance of the Open Compute Platform Conference, and the emerging trend of nuclear energy in powering data centers. The speakers discuss the implications of these developments on the tech industry, particularly in relation to competition with Nvidia and the evolving landscape of energy solutions.

In this episode of The Circuit, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent AMD AI event, focusing on the advancements in CPU architecture, the competitive landscape with NVIDIA, and the importance of vertical integration in AI systems. They explore the role of CPUs in AI workloads, the complexities of total cost of ownership for hyperscalers, and AMD's growth projections in the market. In this conversation, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the dynamics of the AI accelerator market, the performance of AMD's stock in relation to market expectations, the future of inference and compute demands in AI, and the developments in autonomous vehicles. They explore the implications of AI advancements on semiconductor demand, the challenges of scaling autonomous technology, and the evolving landscape of AI capabilities.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin, Jay Goldberg, and Austin Lyons discuss the rapid evolution of AI technology and its implications for hardware and software. They explore the challenges faced by AI accelerators, the role of hyperscalers, and the investment landscape in AI startups. The conversation highlights the disparity between the fast-paced development of AI software and the slower advancements in hardware, particularly in the context of GPUs and dedicated AI accelerators. The speakers also delve into the future of real-time training and inference, emphasizing the need for integrated systems over disaggregated ones.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent announcements from Meta at MetaConnect, particularly focusing on their new AR glasses concept. They compare Meta's approach to Apple's Vision Pro, exploring the implications of custom silicon, product timing, and the importance of developer ecosystems. The conversation also touches on the role of Google in the AR/VR space, the potential for an open ecosystem, and the excitement surrounding future technologies in this rapidly evolving field.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the current state of Intel, focusing on its challenges, board dynamics, and the implications of activist investors. They delve into Intel's foundry strategy, customer relationships, and the significance of the 18A technology. The conversation also touches on Qualcomm's interest in Intel and explores hypothetical merger scenarios, concluding with insights on the future of CPUs in an AI-driven market.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent advancements in AI software, particularly focusing on OpenAI's new model and its implications for silicon architecture. They explore the challenges of inference costs, the need for silicon innovation, and the competitive landscape involving Nvidia and Google. The conversation highlights the rapid evolution of AI technology and the ongoing race to keep up with software demands.

The conversation covers various topics related to Apple's recent product announcements, including the iPhone, wearables, Apple Silicon, and AI features. The hosts discuss the potential impact of the new iPhone lineup on sales volume and upgrades, as well as the significance of TSMC's involvement in supplying processors. They also highlight the design and features of the Apple Watch and AirPods, emphasizing the attention to detail and user experience. The conversation concludes with a discussion on Apple's investment in healthcare and the role of AI as an enabling technology. The conversation discusses the state of AI applications and the need to shift the focus from AI itself to the features it enables. They also touch on Apple's use of AI and its integration with Google and OpenAI. The conversation explores the challenges of rolling out AI features, particularly in China, and the importance of positive word-of-mouth in driving adoption. They highlight the potential of Genmoji to create FOMO and drive interest in new hardware. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the format of Apple keynotes and the possibility of returning to live events.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss NVIDIA's recent earnings and the challenges of managing expectations in the stock market. They touch on the mispronunciation of NVIDIA, the volatility of the stock, and the impact of whisper numbers on investor sentiment. They also discuss the role of NVIDIA's CEO, Jensen Huang, and the difficulty of managing investor relations. The conversation covers topics such as the slowdown in growth, gross margins, and the sustainability of high gross margins in the semiconductor industry. In this conversation, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the reasons why they are not concerned about a bubble popping in the tech industry. They highlight the high demand for NVIDIA's products, the company's superior total cost of ownership (TCO) relative to competitors, and the continued growth of AI and data center infrastructure. They also touch on the potential for NVIDIA to expand its software business. The conversation then shifts to Intel, with the news that the company is exploring strategic options, including spinning off its Foundry division. Ben and Jay discuss the challenges of spinning off Foundry and the potential for a white knight investor to step in and support Intel.Use code TC24 at wwic24.com

This week Ben and Jay are joined by AMD's EVP of Datacenter Solutions Forrest Norrod. AMD's acquisition of ZT Systems is a strategic move to enhance its position in the data center and AI market. ZT Systems is a leading systems design company focused on hyperscalers, with expertise in customized server and rack designs. By integrating ZT's design capabilities with AMD's silicon and software engineering, AMD aims to create better and more optimized AI server solutions. The acquisition also allows AMD to accelerate time-to-market and support their customers in deploying AI systems faster. AMD plans to divest the manufacturing side of ZT Systems and continue to collaborate with OEM and ODM partners.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the tectonic shift happening in the semiconductor industry due to the rise of AI. They highlight the need for substantial improvements in energy-efficient computing performance and the importance of reducing power consumption. The conversation also touches on the role of companies like Applied Materials in driving innovation and advancements in the industry. They discuss Intel's investments in advanced packaging and lithography, as well as the release of their PDK. The episode concludes with a discussion on the breakthrough in high NA EUV technology by Imec.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the current state of the stock market and the semiconductor industry. They explore the factors that may be contributing to the recent fluctuations in stock prices and the challenges faced by the semiconductor market. They also delve into the changing dynamics of data center design and the implications for the growth of AI. Additionally, they touch on the automotive semiconductor market and the delays in product releases. Overall, they provide insights into the trends and challenges in the semiconductor industry.

This episode of The Circuit covers the recent earnings reports of semiconductor companies, including AMD, Arm, Qualcomm, and Intel. The hosts discuss the market sentiment, the strength of the data center infrastructure, and the growth potential of these companies. They highlight the cleverness of Arm's business model and the positive trends in their licensing and royalty revenue. They also analyze Qualcomm's performance, noting the anomaly in the automotive market and the misconception of Qualcomm as a PC play. Overall, the hosts provide insights into the semiconductor industry and the factors influencing the market. In this conversation, Jay Goldberg and Ben Bajarin discuss the recent earnings calls of Qualcomm and Intel. They analyze the key takeaways and discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by both companies. The conversation covers topics such as Qualcomm's diversification strategy, the importance of product competitiveness for Intel, and the need for management to execute effectively. They also highlight the significance of process improvement and the potential impact on future performance. Overall, the conversation provides insights into the current state and future prospects of these two tech giants.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss their observations and insights from their recent trip to China. They cover topics such as the challenges of semiconductors in China, the economic sentiment in the country, the impact of Huawei's comeback, the state of the semiconductor industry in China, the focus on AI and EVs, the impact of US sanctions, and the future of the industry. They also highlight the impressive technology they saw, such as surveillance cameras and manufacturing systems.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent earnings reports of NXP and Silicon Labs, as well as the latest updates from TSMC. They analyze the challenges and opportunities in the semiconductor industry, particularly in the areas of automotive, IoT, and AI. They also explore the pricing dynamics and competitive landscape between TSMC and Intel. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of strategic vision, execution, and market demand in shaping the success of semiconductor companies.

The conversation explores the question of how to monetize the massive investment in AI infrastructure and hardware. There is a mix of pessimism and optimism regarding the potential returns on this investment. The thesis is that AI is currently being used as a feature to improve existing processes, but there is a lack of consumer use cases that can justify the investment. The conversation also touches on the challenges of increasing power consumption and the need for additional power generation. The potential for new and innovative AI applications is discussed, but there is uncertainty about whether these will be able to generate significant revenue.

In this episode of The Circuit, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg are joined by Scott Best to discuss cryptography. They explore the origins of cryptography, including Scott's personal journey and early experiences with decoding secret messages. They also delve into the practical applications of cryptography in everyday life, such as secure web browsing and firmware updates. Scott explains the concept of key size and how it determines the strength of encryption. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future of cryptography and the potential impact of quantum computers.

Nvidia briefly became the most valuable company in the world by market cap, surpassing Apple. This milestone highlights Nvidia's dominance in the semiconductor industry and its position as a leading company in AI computing. However, there are concerns about the sustainability of Nvidia's growth and the disconnect between its stock performance and the dynamics of the company itself. The platformization of GPUs is a key strategy for Nvidia, but it may not align with the preferences of hyperscalers who are looking for more diverse solutions. The future of the data center market and the demand for AI capabilities remain uncertain.

Apple announced Apple intelligence, integrating AI in a very Apple way. They are focusing on on-device AI to align with their privacy philosophy. The features are only available on the most recent Apple Silicon iPhone pro and newer models. The implementation of AI is focused on useful feature-centric applications rather than general AI. Apple's infrastructure play with their own data centers and Apple Silicon has strategic implications and could potentially lead to them becoming a cloud service provider for developers. The closed-loop environment of security and privacy is a key advantage for Apple. The integration of client to cloud with a common software layer is a powerful trend. Other companies like Arm are also exploring this approach.

Computex has evolved into an important tech trade show, with a focus on gaming, GPUs, and components for gaming and PCs. The show has seen a shift towards data center components and AI servers, which have become a significant category. AMD and Intel are both making chips for AI PCs, with AMD leading in NPU tops. Qualcomm's Snapdragon is ahead in performance, spooking other vendors. The PC landscape has permanently changed, with more competition for Intel. The evaluation of product truth is crucial, as performance and battery life are key factors. In the data center space, AI servers are gaining attention and have higher content per dollar than general-purpose servers. However, market sizing for AI servers is challenging due to varying estimates and counting methods. The conversation explores the market potential for silicon sales to hyperscalers and tier two/tier three cloud service providers. It discusses the growth of the hyperscaler market and the potential for the tier two/tier three market to also grow. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by new entrants in the market and the dominance of Nvidia in the AI server market. It explores the role of networking components in AI data centers and the margin opportunities for companies in the AI server market. The conversation concludes with a discussion on Arm's CSS service and its expansion into mobile and client markets.

With Special guests, Austin Lyons and Paul Karazuba! The conversation covers the topic of NPUs (Neural Processing Units) and delves into their architecture, performance, and relevance in the semiconductor industry. The discussion also addresses the use of tops per watt as a metric for NPU performance and the design origins of NPUs, including the use of licensed IP and the evolution from DSPs to NPUs. The conversation delves into the topic of NPUs (Neural Processing Units) and their integration into various devices. The speakers discuss the origins of NPUs, their design philosophy, and the potential impact on consumer devices. They also explore the role of NPUs in edge devices, AI PCs, and the future of consumer use cases for AI. The conversation concludes with predictions about the widespread adoption of NPUs and their potential impact on the market.

In this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent Google I/O event and the introduction of new TPUs and CPUs. They also explore the ARM architecture in the data center and the potential for switching between different ARM CPUs. Additionally, they touch on Qualcomm's launch of Windows on ARM and the significant adoption of Qualcomm SKUs by major OEMs. The conversation covers various topics including the dynamics in the PC space, Nvidia's earnings, and the 10-to-1 stock split. The main takeaways include the strong position of Windows in the PC ecosystem, the growth of Nvidia's data center networking business, and the potential impact of a dedicated inference chip. The conversation also discusses the competition in different parts of Nvidia's stack and the volatility that may come with the stock split.

In this episode of The Circuit, Ben Bajarin interviews Esam Elashmawi, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer of Lattice, about the world of Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). They discuss the basics of FPGAs, their unique capabilities, and their pervasiveness across various applications. They also explore the advantages of FPGAs over Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and the flexibility they offer in terms of customization and reprogramming. Esam highlights the role of FPGAs in different markets, such as communications, computing, industrial, and automotive, and how Lattice differentiates itself in the FPGA market. They also touch on the challenges of building an FPGA company and the potential of FPGAs in AI applications, both in data centers and at the edge.