# Episode 7: Semiconductor Industry Power Players

- Show: [The Circuit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit)
- Published: 2023-02-21
- Length: 45m
- Episode: 7
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-21-episode-7-semiconductor-industry-power-players
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/5c05b532

## Summary

Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg debate their respective lists of the most influential semiconductor companies for the next decade. Bajarin’s 'Silicon Big Five' focuses on innovation drivers (Apple, Qualcomm, Intel, AMD, Nvidia), while Goldberg prioritizes survival and staying power (Qualcomm, ADI, Texas Instruments, Nvidia, and a wildcard Chinese firm). They analyze Nvidia’s dominance in AI, the strategic shift at Qualcomm from licensing to products, and the competitive dynamics between ARM and RISC-V.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-21-episode-7-semiconductor-industry-power-players#t=0) Introduction and Silicon Big Five Thesis
- [3:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-21-episode-7-semiconductor-industry-power-players#t=210) Goldberg’s Survival Criteria and Updated List
- [8:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-21-episode-7-semiconductor-industry-power-players#t=505) Debate on ARM, RISC-V, and TSMC
- [12:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-21-episode-7-semiconductor-industry-power-players#t=764) Custom Architectures and the Rise of RISC-V
- [19:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-21-episode-7-semiconductor-industry-power-players#t=1189) Nvidia’s Dominance in AI and Data Centers
- [25:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-21-episode-7-semiconductor-industry-power-players#t=1551) AMD’s Position and Intel’s Decline
- [30:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-21-episode-7-semiconductor-industry-power-players#t=1802) Qualcomm’s Growth Strategy and Automotive Focus
- [34:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-02-21-episode-7-semiconductor-industry-power-players#t=2049) Qualcomm’s Licensing Shift and Mobile Challenges

## Topics

- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Apple (company)
- Qualcomm (company)
- Intel (company)
- AMD (company)
- Nvidia (company)
- ARM (company)
- RISC-V (other)
- TSMC (company)
- ASML (company)
- MediaTek (company)
- Google (company)
- Microsoft (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Texas Instruments (company)
- ADI (company)
- Broadcom (company)
- NXP (company)
- CUDA (product)
- Snapdragon (product)
- Ryzen (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Whither Semiconductors? The Wheels on the Bus Go ‘Round and ‘Round](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2021-07-16-whither-semiconductors-the-wheels-on-the-bus-go-round-and-round) (EE Times Current)
- [Can the Nvidia Monopoly on AI Chips Be Broken?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2026-03-16-can-the-nvidia-monopoly-on-ai-chips-be-broken) (EE Times Current)
- [How Much is Enough for Hyperscale Companies?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2019-07-26-how-much-is-enough-for-hyperscale-companies) (EE Times Current)
- [Books in the Box IV](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2024-11-01-books-in-the-box-iv) (Oxide and Friends)
- [Bonkers Birthday Badinage](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2012-06-18-bonkers-birthday-badinage) (The Amp Hour)

## Citing this page

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