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Intel CEO Considers Major Shift in Foundry Strategy, Focuses on 14A Chipmaking to Compete with TSMC

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Intel’s new CEO Lip-Bu Tan is contemplating a significant change to the company’s contract chip manufacturing business, potentially abandoning the costly 18A process developed under his predecessor to focus on the newer 14A technology. This move aims to better compete with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) and attract major clients like Apple and Nvidia, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The 18A process, which Intel invested billions in, is seen as losing appeal among prospective customers. Shifting focus away from it could lead to a substantial financial write-off for Intel, possibly costing hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars. Intel confirmed it would continue producing chips using 18A for its own internal designs, including the “Panther Lake” laptop chips planned for 2025, as well as fulfilling existing contracts with Amazon and Microsoft.

Tan, who took over in March, has quickly moved to cut costs and reshape Intel’s direction amid years of falling behind in chip technology. The 18A process, which features new transistor designs and energy delivery methods, was intended to rival TSMC’s leading-edge technology but is now considered roughly comparable to TSMC’s earlier N3 node.

By emphasizing 14A, Intel hopes to offer a more competitive foundry service and win contracts from major chip designers currently reliant on TSMC’s manufacturing. The company is customizing 14A to client needs and planning a strategic discussion with its board as soon as this month, with a final decision expected in the fall.

Intel’s move reflects the high stakes involved in regaining its manufacturing edge after a difficult period culminating in an $18.8 billion net loss in 2024. Tan has also revamped Intel’s leadership and streamlined management to improve agility.

While the strategy is still forming, the potential pivot marks one of Tan’s boldest efforts to restore Intel’s chipmaking leadership and profitability.

US May Target Samsung, Hynix, and TSMC Operations in China by Revoking Trade Authorizations

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The U.S. Department of Commerce is considering revoking authorizations granted in recent years to major chipmakers Samsung, SK Hynix, and TSMC that allow them to receive U.S. goods and technology at their manufacturing plants in China, sources familiar with the matter said. This potential move would complicate operations for these foreign semiconductor firms in China, where they produce chips used across many industries.

While the likelihood of the U.S. actually withdrawing these authorizations remains uncertain, officials view the tactic as a contingency if the current trade truce between the U.S. and China deteriorates. A White House official emphasized that the U.S. is “just laying the groundwork” and expressed confidence the trade agreement would continue, including the agreed supply of rare earth minerals from China. The official clarified that “there is currently no intention of deploying this tactic,” but it remains a tool in case bilateral relations worsen.

Following early reports, shares of U.S. semiconductor equipment suppliers that serve Chinese plants dropped: KLA Corp fell 2.4%, Lam Research declined 1.9%, and Applied Materials sank 2%. Conversely, shares of Micron Technology, a key competitor to Samsung and SK Hynix in memory chips, rose 1.5%.

TSMC declined to comment, while Samsung and SK Hynix did not respond to requests for comment. Lam Research, KLA, and Applied Materials also did not immediately respond.

Background: In October 2022, the U.S. imposed broad restrictions on chipmaking equipment exports to China but provided foreign firms like Samsung and SK Hynix with letters authorizing shipments. In 2023 and 2024, these companies received “Validated End User” (VEU) status, which allows them to obtain U.S.-controlled products more quickly and reliably without needing multiple export licenses. However, VEU status comes with conditions such as equipment prohibitions and reporting requirements.

A Commerce Department spokesperson said chipmakers would still be able to operate in China if the authorizations are revoked. The enforcement mechanisms would align with licensing rules for other semiconductor firms exporting to China, ensuring the U.S. applies an equal and reciprocal approach.

Industry insiders warn that stricter U.S. controls could unintentionally benefit Chinese domestic competitors by making it harder for foreign companies to receive equipment, calling such a move “a gift” to China’s semiconductor industry.

AMD Unveils AI Server and Chips as OpenAI Joins Development Effort

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AMD CEO Lisa Su introduced a major new line of AI hardware on Thursday, unveiling both the MI350 and MI400 series of AI chips and announcing plans to release the company’s first AI server, called “Helios,” in 2026. The launch signals AMD’s most direct challenge yet to Nvidia’s dominance in the AI server and chip market.

The announcement was made at AMD’s “Advancing AI” developer conference in San Jose, California. The Helios servers will house 72 MI400 chips, designed to compete directly with Nvidia’s current NVL72 servers powered by its Blackwell processors. In a notable difference from Nvidia’s closed ecosystem, Su emphasized that many aspects of AMD’s server and networking standards would be openly available to the broader industry, including rivals like Intel.

“The future of AI is not going to be built by any one company or in a closed ecosystem. It’s going to be shaped by open collaboration across the industry,” Su stated.

Su was joined on stage by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who confirmed that OpenAI is already working with AMD on its MI450 chips to help optimize them for AI workloads. Altman remarked on OpenAI’s rapid infrastructure growth, calling the pace “crazy” and noting continued expansion with AMD’s hardware.

Executives from Meta Platforms, Elon Musk’s xAI, and Oracle also appeared during the event to showcase how their companies are adopting AMD’s processors. Additionally, Crusoe, a cloud provider specializing in AI, disclosed plans to purchase $400 million worth of AMD’s new chips.

Despite the announcement, AMD shares slipped 2.2%, with analysts suggesting the company still faces significant headwinds in dislodging Nvidia’s dominant market position. Summit Insights analyst Kinngai Chan noted that the newly announced products are unlikely to shift the competitive balance immediately.

AMD has aggressively expanded its AI capabilities over the past year, completing its acquisition of server manufacturer ZT Systems in March and making 25 strategic investments in AI-related startups. The company recently hired engineers from Untether AI and Lamini, further strengthening its chip design and software development teams.

However, AMD’s ROCm software stack continues to lag behind Nvidia’s highly entrenched CUDA platform, which many in the industry see as a major factor behind Nvidia’s dominance.

Nevertheless, AMD remains optimistic about its growth prospects, even as U.S. export controls tighten on AI chip sales to China. When reporting earnings in May, Su reiterated expectations for strong double-digit growth in AI chip sales despite these headwinds.