By Bob Smith, Executive Director, ESD Alliance
2023 promises to accelerate the changes already occurring in the post-pandemic semiconductor industry. Much of this is being driven by the shakeup of the global supply chain due to supply shortages and geo-political issues. As a result, many regions and countries are now committed to investing in their own domestic semiconductor capabilities.
The U.S. CHIPS Act, for example, should begin to roll out in 2023 to help accelerate innovation and manufacturing capability in the U.S. This is in addition to the private investments being made by leading semiconductor manufacturers to build significant new factories in the U.S. This represents a fundamental shift in thinking from the status quo of reliance on overseas manufacturing and offshore design centers.
As of 2021, the U.S. remains dominant in semiconductor design, but there are growing concerns that this may not be sustainable. Underlying both the investments being made in building domestic manufacturing plants and maintaining or increasing design activity is the critical need for building a workforce to support these activities.
