The Promise and Peril of Computer Chips with Tufts Professor Chris Miller

About this episode

Chris Miller discusses the critical role of semiconductors in modern technology and the geopolitical implications of their production.

Chris Miller, Tufts Professor and author, explains how semiconductors—those tiny chips inside your phone, car, and coffee maker—have become the most critical technology in the world. Today’s global economy, military power, and AI breakthroughs all hinge on who makes the chips and where. In this episode, Dr. Miller explores how the chip industry evolved from independent manufacturing giants to specialized global supply chains and why that’s both a strength and a vulnerability. He breaks down the growing competition between the U.S. and China, the geopolitical risk of relying on Taiwan, and why the future of AI depends not just on better software but on smarter, faster hardware. 💡 Topics Covered: Why semiconductors are the backbone of modern technology The shift from integrated chip companies to design vs. manufacturing specialization How legacy companies like Intel lost ground and what it means for the U.S. The U.S./China tech rivalry and supply chain vulnerabilities AI’s explosive growth and the chip race driving it The surprising role of immigration in America’s tech dominance Why even automakers and retailers are becoming chip-aware Learn more in Dr. Miller’s book, Chip War…

People in this episode

Guest: Chris Miller

Topics covered

• semiconductors
• technology
• geopolitics
• AI
• supply chain

Keywords

• chip industry evolution
• U.S./China tech rivalry
• Taiwan geopolitical risk
• AI hardware dependence
• immigration and tech dominance

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Chip War

Books & works: The Promise and Peril of Computer Chips, Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology

Places: U.S., China, Taiwan, U.S./China, America

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