If AI’s potential is matched or exceeded by reality, today’s semiconductor giants could become tomorrow’s titans, and the world’s economic order may be remade. Are there unknown downsides, however? Whichever future emerges, the world may eventually run on something new, but for now, the modern economy runs on silicon. .

Power semiconductors will define how well and how quickly the global economy adopts Edge AI and benefit from its promises. That’s why the race is stiffening among chipmakers to offer the most innovative power management components and systems. Who is winning?

Three companies currently dominate the EDA world, but some startups armed with AI are pushing in, creating unprecedented opportunities to challenge the established order.

Nvidia is caught between the rock and a hard place. It wants higher China sales while Beijing wants access to its technology. The lifting of US sanctions on the shipment of advanced AI chips will also accelerate Chinese efforts to develop competing technologies and enterprises.

GlobalFoundries’ planned purchase of MIPS triggered questions about the competitive strategy the foundry is deploying in a market defined by stiff competition and the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence on the semiconductor industry.

Semiconductors have become the lifeblood of the global economy, which means local or national actions, such as the imposition of tariffs by America, will have a worldwide ripple effect.

Alongside artificial intelligence, memory semiconductors have emerged as the lead subject of the current technology cycle. This time, though, their place in the spotlight will last a while and be more consequential than in the past.

In just the last few weeks we have seen the following processor startups go belly up or put themselves up for sale: Untether and Esperanto are winding down, Codasip is up for sale and VyperCore has closed. These developments point towards a trend.

Renesas is doubling down on gallium nitride (GaN) in what represents a firm endorsement of the technology over silicon carbide. The move, and actions by the company’s competitors in the field, confirm GaN’s growing profile and adoption for power applications by OEMs.

Artificial intelligence is transforming the semiconductor design system, and a race is on to squeeze out the most benefits from the technology. The victors will be those who adapt fastest, learn perpetually, and embrace AI as a discovery partner, according to industry observers, who say the AI revolution’s impact will resonate far beyond cleanrooms, reshaping the semiconductor business and our digital world.

Micron Technology chairman, president and CEO, Sanjay Mehrotra, is getting closer and closer to retirement. Who will take over the leadership mantle at the memory semiconductor supplier?