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Politico
a day ago
- Politics
- Politico
5 questions for Sen. Todd Young
Hello, and welcome to this week's installment of the Future in Five Questions. This week we interviewed Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), one of the Senate's leading voices on tech policy and a key architect of 2022's CHIPS and Science Act. Young, who earlier this year published an essay in The National Interest proposing a 'Tech Power Playbook for Donald Trump 2.0,' discusses his skepticism about the value of social media, the insight of Alvin Toffler's 'Future Shock' and why America risks falling behind China on biotech. An edited and condensed version of the conversation follows: What's one underrated big idea? Using our tech diplomats at the State Department to accrue more geopolitical power as a country. We saw in the CHIPS and Science Act that this group of individuals, which I characterized as our special teams — it was football season when I put this together — they can help shape norms of use, develop standards and even help us gain market share. To the extent we advance our tech in different geographies, we're advancing our values, because our values around privacy, consumer protection, transparency and many other things are embedded within the standards of our different technologies. If the Trump administration and others adopt this approach, I think we can force our adversaries, most obviously the People's Republic of China, to have to produce in a bifurcated way. They produce one set of standards and embedded technologies for their domestic economy, where they'd spy on their own people, and then they'd have to produce for another set of standards for export. Because they have an export oriented economy, they couldn't sustain two different streams of production and they'd have to choose. What's a technology that you think is overhyped? Social media, without any question. I'm the father of four young children, and I don't think it is meaningfully, or on balance constructively, enhancing their lives. Actual social connection in person with people, or even by phone, is preferable to the sort of clickbait culture and abbreviated means of communication that we've all become accustomed to. I think it has diminished our attention span, I think it has coarsened our culture and I think it's made us dumber collectively than we would have thought in a universe in which we have instant access to all kinds of information. As I talk about this topic with regular citizens — that is, those who don't own major social media companies or work at Washington, D.C., think tanks — there is an appetite for certain smart regulatory approaches. However, in the last few years I think there's been a heightened awareness of the potential when you regulate to constrain speech, and a general skepticism of regulators' intentions and ideologies and good faith in trying to intermediate conversations. When I entered the public fray, I think there was an appetite — or maybe a missed window of opportunity — to come up with a better model through law. It's really challenging right now, because we've become, in many ways, a nation of distinct tribes not just in terms of our political identification but our belief system. There's a distrust of efforts to sort out fact from fiction and to referee the public square, and private actors have seized control of the public square through these social media outlets. We haven't figured out how to address that in a pluralistic, highly populous and dynamic democracy, and we're going to have to come up with answers at some point. What could the government be doing regarding technology that it isn't? Unleashing the power of biomanufacturing, which is something I've been deeply immersed in for the last couple of years as chairman of a national security commission on emerging biotechnology. Other countries have invested heavily in this. Notably, China is more advanced than the United States in some of these areas. The epicenter of this biomanufacturing revolution could be in heartland states like Indiana, using agricultural feedstocks to put into tanks and manufacture many of the components and products that are made through conventional manufacturing right now. McKinsey estimates that today, the technological capabilities exist to biomanufacture 60 percent of items that are conventionally manufactured. What we need is scale in order to make these things cost-competitive, and we offer recommendations for Congress to achieve this sort of scale. What book most shaped your conception of the future? Alvin Toffler's 'Future Shock' had a big impact on me. It talked about something that is now familiar to every American: the disjunction between technological change and human adaptation to those changes. We are essentially living the anxieties that Alvin Toffler predicted from a world upended by increasingly rapid technological change. It impacts our psyche. It impacts our relationships. It impacts our professions; it profoundly impacts every facet of our lives and is therefore unsettling and disorienting. Toffler labeled this whole gamut of effects and emotions 'future shock,' and I don't believe he gets frequent enough mention or credit for identifying this profound change that was underway. The other one is Alexis de Tocqueville. In 'Democracy in America' he talks about how democracy shapes our way of thinking about ourselves in such profound ways, and how it permeates everything in our culture. In this time of tectonic political shifts we are — unless we discipline ourselves against it — inclined to ascertain what is right and true based on what our neighbors think rather than conviction, or trenchant analysis. If any person who lives in a small-'d' democratic culture thinks that they're not susceptible to this, they're wrong. That cultural milieu is put on steroids in an era of social media and, more generally, a fractured media environment in which people live in tribal echo chambers. We all are hardwired in our DNA to want to be part of the crowd. None of us wants to be lonely, and we look to others for guidance about what is right. So you can think again about how in this populist political age, members of the different parties have fundamentally changed their views over the past few years on some pretty foundational political issues. Setting aside some calculation from politicians here and there, there is a sincerity to it because people are persuaded by the popular opinions of people within their tribe. So you've seen a swapping of policy positions across parties on some really foundational things, and some have genuinely arrived at those new positions through analysism but others are more impacted by democratic culture than is typically realized. What has surprised you the most this year? Well, if we're going 365 days back, it would be Indiana University football's No. 5 ranking in the College Football Playoff era. But in this year, it's the Pacers' deep run in the playoffs, and it ain't over. doge rolls on Although Elon Musk is personally stepping back from government, DOGE remains at furious work. POLITICO's Robin Bravender, Danny Nguyen and Sophia Cai reported Thursday on how Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought is quietly directing lasting changes to the federal bureaucracy, which one anonymous White House official described as the 'true DNA of DOGE': The staffers made political appointees at various agencies who can remain at their posts indefinitely. DOGE staffers are also taking a quieter approach to cutting programs and staff by going to lesser-known departments and agencies, even as courts often stymie their changes. During the last two weeks, DOGE has tried to access the Government Publishing Office, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, and sent teams to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and the Government Accountability Office. 'Everyone's more nervous about [Vought] than Elon actually, especially because he knows government a little bit better,' an anonymous federal worker told POLITICO. 'While people are excited that Elon is gone, this doesn't change much.' a new berkeley supercomputer The Department of Energy announced a new supercomputer project, teaming with Nvidia and Dell on a system to support physics, artificial intelligence and other types of research. POLITICO's Chase DiFeliciantonio reported for Pro subscribers Thursday on the announcement of a computer based at Berkeley, California's National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center, which has around 11,000 researchers. Scheduled for completion in 2026, the computer will be named after Nobel Prize-winning CRISPR scientist Jennifer Doudna. 'AI is the Manhattan Project of our time, and Doudna will help ensure America's scientists have the tools they need to win the global race for AI dominance,' said Energy Secretary Chris Wright in a statement. In response to a question from reporters, Wright defended the administration's broader science cuts. 'Politics and bureaucracy are the antithesis of science,' he said, adding that 'this administration is 100 percent aligned with speeding up and energizing American science, removing the shackles, removing the bureaucracy, cleaning out the politics, and focused on science and progress.' post of the day THE FUTURE IN 5 LINKS Stay in touch with the whole team: Derek Robertson (drobertson@ Mohar Chatterjee (mchatterjee@ Steve Heuser (sheuser@ Nate Robson (nrobson@ and Daniella Cheslow (dcheslow@
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
$1.9 billion CHIPS grant denied for Kansas
COFFEY COUNTY (KSNT) – Coffey County Commissioners were told that their application for $1.9 billion in Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) grant funds was denied; throwing the construction of a proposed Burlington computer chip factory into question. On May 19, commissioners heard from County Counselor Wade Bowie, II, about CHIPS funding. According to Bowie, the transition between the Biden and Trump administration likely resulted in the denial. In February 2023, Governor Laura Kelly announced that EMP Shield had plans to build a computer chip manufacturing facility in Burlington thanks to funding through the CHIPS Act. The governor said that the facility would create more than 1,200 jobs averaging $66,000 annually. Following the news, commissioners heard that decisions would need to be made regarding the future of the property at the location. According to the minutes from the meeting, the location is ideal for an industrial park with I-35 and Highway 75 near Kansas City and other locations. Economic Development Director Jenny Tatman showed commissioners a concept map of the proposed industrial park. He discussed a possible manufacturing facility built by a solar panel company. Bowie told commissioners that there will be an update on the potential future of the CHIPS grants at the next regular meeting on June 2. What will happen to the old JCPenney space at West Ridge Mall? As of August 2024, the CHIPS and Science Act had provided $30 billion in support for 23 projects in 15 states that would add 115,000 manufacturing and construction jobs, according to the Commerce Department. That funding helped to draw in private capital and would enable the U.S. to produce 30% of the world's most advanced computer chips, up from 0% when the Biden-Harris administration succeeded Trump's first term. The CHIPS Act called for every aspect of computer chip production to be brought back to the United States – specifically into rural areas of the Midwest, along with stipulations including private-public partnerships as well as the involvement of higher education institutions. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. The Associated Press contributed to this article. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Michigan governor shades Ohio in calling for semiconductor fabs to be built there
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Michigan is raising another competition with Ohio as Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer calls for the state to get into the semiconductor game. Whitmer, a Democrat, called for Michigan to secure advanced manufacturing investments, specifically a semiconductor manufacturing facility. Speaking in Flint, Whitmer lightly called out Ohio in her May 21 remarks, as the Buckeye state has secured a number of major tech manufacturing projects and data centers, including a $28 billion investment from Intel in New Albany. 'Let's add more tools to our toolbox to bring jobs home and keep them here,' Whitmer said. 'There are some on the far left and the far right in Lansing who say we should unilaterally disarm. Just get rid of these tools and let those jobs go to Georgia, Kentucky, Arizona or, God forbid, Ohio.' Data Desk: Ohio has one of lowest average urban driving speeds in country The Midwest is generally emerging as a leader in semiconductor manufacturing, with Ohio at the helm. The market was spurred forward by the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, a bipartisan federal program founded under former President Joe Biden that allocated funds to encourage domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Intel is among the recipients of CHIPS Act funding, promised $7.865 billion for projects in Ohio, Arizona, New Mexico and Oregon. However, Intel has only received $2.2 billion of its promised funding, none of which was allocated under President Donald Trump. Trump has been a strong CHIPS Act critic, although domestic semiconductor manufacturing is still a priority for him. Whitmer said she has spoken with Trump about establishing a fab in Michigan, and she said her goal is to secure a project by the end of next year. The state is not starting from scratch; according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the semiconductor industry contributes $4.6 billion in gross regional product to Michigan. The state has already attracted multi-million-dollar semiconductor projects. Shuttered central Ohio biotech firm faces lawsuit from former employees over layoffs Even in organizations that cross state lines, Ohio leads the Midwest semiconductor industry, with Michigan often second. Formed in 2022, the Midwest Semiconductor Network joins more than 30 universities to develop semiconductor research and workforce, 18 of which are in Ohio. Michigan has five partner universities, the second-highest number among the five states represented. Michigan and Ohio are both considered among the top manufacturing states in many rankings, although there is no definitive list. Under Whitmer's goal, the Midwest would gain another semiconductor project and further its role in the industry. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
India's semiconductor ambitions: Bridging the gap with the US
As the global semiconductor industry undergoes rapid transformation, India stands at a pivotal juncture, poised to redefine its role in this critical sector. While the United States maintains a strong position with its robust infrastructure and significant investments, India's strategic initiatives and burgeoning talent pool signal a determined stride toward establishing itself as a formidable player. Current landscape: An overview The US semiconductor industry, valued at approximately $250 billion in 2025, commands nearly 47% of the global market share in design and manufacturing. This presence is underpinned by substantial investments exceeding $200 billion since 2020, bolstered by the CHIPS and Science Act, which allocates $52 billion to rejuvenate domestic semiconductor manufacturing and reduce reliance on Asian supply chains.[ In contrast, India's semiconductor market, though smaller at $54 billion, is projected to double to $108 billion by 2030. India's strength lies in its design capabilities, contributing 20% of the global semiconductor design workforce. However, it currently holds a mere 0.1% of global wafer fabrication capacity, highlighting a significant gap in manufacturing infrastructure. [ Strategic initiatives and investments Recognising the strategic importance of semiconductors, the Indian government has launched several initiatives: I ndia Semiconductor Mission (ISM): A $10 billion program aimed at establishing a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem, focusing on domestic chip design, fabrication, and R&D capabilities. [ A $10 billion program aimed at establishing a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem, focusing on domestic chip design, fabrication, and R&D capabilities. [ Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Offers financial incentives to companies establishing chip fabrication units in India, aiming to attract global players and boost domestic manufacturing. Offers financial incentives to companies establishing chip fabrication units in India, aiming to attract global players and boost domestic manufacturing. Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme: Launched in 2021, this initiative seeks to train 85,000 engineers across 113 institutions in VLSI and embedded system design by 2027, addressing the critical need for skilled professionals. Launched in 2021, this initiative seeks to train 85,000 engineers across 113 institutions in VLSI and embedded system design by 2027, addressing the critical need for skilled professionals. These efforts are complemented by significant investments from global corporations. For instance, U.S.-based Lam Research plans to invest over $1 billion in Karnataka to boost India's semiconductor ecosystem, aligning with the government's vision to expand the industry. [ Challenges aheadDespite these initiatives, India faces several challenges: Infrastructure deficits: Semiconductor fabrication requires advanced infrastructure, including uninterrupted power and water supply, cleanroom environments, and specialised equipment. India's current infrastructure falls short, as evidenced by delays in projects like the Vedanta-Foxconn initiative due to inadequate facilities. Semiconductor fabrication requires advanced infrastructure, including uninterrupted power and water supply, cleanroom environments, and specialised equipment. India's current infrastructure falls short, as evidenced by delays in projects like the Vedanta-Foxconn initiative due to inadequate facilities. Skilled workforce shortage: While India produces approximately 600,000 engineering graduates annually, only a small fraction are job-ready for the semiconductor industry, particularly for fabrication-specific roles. This gap underscores the need for specialised training programs and industry-academia collaborations. While India produces approximately 600,000 engineering graduates annually, only a small fraction are job-ready for the semiconductor industry, particularly for fabrication-specific roles. This gap underscores the need for specialised training programs and industry-academia collaborations. Supply chain dependencies: India remains heavily reliant on imports for semiconductor components, exposing it to geopolitical risks and supply chain disruptions. Developing a resilient domestic supply chain is imperative for long-term sustainability. [ The path forwardTo bridge the gap with global leaders, India must adopt a multifaceted approach: Enhancing infrastructure : Investments in state-of-the-art facilities, reliable utilities, and logistical support are crucial to attract and retain semiconductor manufacturers. : Investments in state-of-the-art facilities, reliable utilities, and logistical support are crucial to attract and retain semiconductor manufacturers. Strengthening education and training : Expanding programs like C2S and fostering partnerships between academia and industry can cultivate a skilled workforce tailored to the industry's needs.[ : Expanding programs like C2S and fostering partnerships between academia and industry can cultivate a skilled workforce tailored to the industry's needs.[ Encouraging research and innovation : Increasing R&D spending and promoting innovation through grants and incentives can position India as a hub for semiconductor research. : Increasing R&D spending and promoting innovation through grants and incentives can position India as a hub for semiconductor research. Building strategic alliances: Collaborating with global leaders and participating in initiatives like the United States–India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) can facilitate technology transfer and joint ventures. [ India's journey in the semiconductor domain is marked by ambition and potential. While challenges persist, strategic initiatives, coupled with global collaborations and a focus on infrastructure and skill development, can propel India toward becoming a significant player in the global semiconductor landscape. The road ahead requires concerted efforts from the government, industry, and academia to realize this vision. * This article is contributed by Dr. Satchidananda Tripathy, Assistant Professor, Department of Management, Paari School of Business, SRM University, AP.*The views and opinions expressed in the story are independent professional judgment of the experts and we do not take any responsibility for the accuracy of their views. The brand is solely liable for the correctness, reliability of the content and/or compliance of applicable laws. The above is non-editorial content and TIL does not guarantee, vouch or endorse any of it. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. Disclaimer - The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How Donald Trump's 'America First' may have put brakes on the sector that was working to bring business back to the US
Even before the "America First" doctrine became a hallmark of the Trump administration's foreign policy, the U.S. semiconductor industry was actively working to bring manufacturing back home, fueled by government incentives and a strategic push to bolster domestic production. As reported by the Associated Press, the Greater Sacramento region stands as a prime example of this resurgence, where tech giants like Intel, AMD, Bosch, Samsung, and Micron are expanding operations, building upon Intel's decades-long presence. This growth is part of a nationwide trend, with billions of dollars invested in research, development, and manufacturing. However, President Donald Trump's recent trade policies, including proposed tariffs and investigations into chip imports, are casting a shadow of uncertainty over this burgeoning industry. What's hurting semiconductor companies in the US "You're starting to see some of it now. Samsung announced a delay in the fabs in Texas," Mario Morales, an analyst with the International Data Corp., told the AP. "That facility was supposed to come online in 2024 now it's being delayed to 2028. I think some of these companies are delaying it because they now know that they're not going to likely get funding, or because of the uncertainty around the acts that we're seeing around the new trade policy." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Her body cannot endure this level of pain; please help her. Donate For Health Learn More Undo Despite the U.S. being a major producer of certain semiconductor chips, its global market share, measured by volume, has dwindled from 37% in 1990 to just 10% in 2022, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association. This reliance on imports, particularly from Taiwan and South Korea, prompted the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022, aiming to revitalize domestic manufacturing and reduce supply chain vulnerabilities. Benefits of CHIPS Act undone The CHIPS Act, championed by the previous Biden administration, has spurred significant investment, with projections indicating the U.S. will more than triple its semiconductor manufacturing capacity, the highest growth rate globally, according to a May 2024 report by the Semiconductor Industry Association and Boston Consulting Group. Barry Broome, president of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, told the AP that the pandemic underscored the risks of relying on offshore production. "It was 'abundantly clear that having these chip products offshore in Vietnam, Taiwan, China for cost savings had serious implications.'" The region's established tech infrastructure and skilled workforce have attracted major investments, such as Bosch's $1.9 billion project to produce electric vehicle chips, creating up to 1,700 jobs. Dinakar Munagala, cofounder of Sacramento-based AI startup Blaize, highlighted the increasing interest from defense and border security sectors in domestically produced chips. "We're built here," he said to the AP. Trump Tariffs cause confusion, earn experts The Trump administration views domestic chip production as a national security imperative, aiming to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and mitigate risks associated with concentrated manufacturing. However, the fluidity of the administration's tariff policies is causing concern. Alvin Nguyen, senior analyst at Forrester, told the AP that "the fluidity of the state of administration's tariffs will cause confusion about the impact on the supply chain 'due to the complexity of tracking where materials and manufactured goods are produced and assembled.'" The uncertainty has already impacted industries, with video game companies like Nintendo adjusting prices in response to potential tariff increases. Broome expressed hope that the tariffs are a short-term measure to restructure global trade relationships, cautioning that prolonged uncertainty could stifle investment. "If the tariffs are used for leverage to get better agreements in the next two or three months, then we'll come back quickly, and will benefit from it," he told the AP. "If they're considered long-term policy, I think it'll really ice the capital markets from putting real money on the table." AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
