Arm’s CEO seems to have made remarks that could be seen as a dig at Intel. The chief executive of the UK-based semiconductor and software design company stated that once a company falls behind in the semiconductor industry, recovery is an uphill climb.
Arm Holdings is a leading semiconductor and software design company, headquartered in the UK. Founded in 1990, Arm specializes in developing processor architectures and intellectual property (IP) used by many of the world’s top chip manufacturers. Unlike traditional chipmakers, Arm doesn’t manufacture physical chips but licenses its designs to other companies, allowing them to build processors for various devices, from smartphones and tablets to servers and embedded systems.
Arm’s processor designs are known for their energy efficiency and performance, making them popular in mobile devices and increasingly in data centers and artificial intelligence applications.
In a recent “All-in Podcast,” Haas, while commenting on the debate about whether Intel could serve as a viable U.S.-based alternative to the Taiwanese chip manufacturer, said that “Intel has unfortunately been punished on a few areas.”
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During the podcast, Haas said: “There are long product cycles. It takes a long time to develop chips. It takes a long time to invest in fabs. It takes a long time to define architectures and ecosystems. If you miss a few time(s)… you will be punished for that. I think Intel has unfortunately been punished on a few areas. They were punished on mobile, obviously, they missed that completely. They were also punished in terms of manufacturing of going to EUV, an advanced methodology for building the smallest chips on the planet. They decided not to invest in that probably a decade ago at the rate that TSMC did, and they fell behind.”
The company plays a crucial role in the global semiconductor ecosystem, partnering with major technology firms like Apple, Samsung, and Nvidia. Arm’s licensing model and focus on low-power, high-performance designs have positioned it as a vital player driving advancements in modern electronics.
“I mean, we may have had it a generation or so ago. I don’t know that we have it now. And we certainly haven’t trained a generation of folks to look at manufacturing jobs as being something that is as lucrative and prestigious. They’re sort of thinking, ‘Oh, it’s a blue collar job. I don’t want to go into that way.’ It’s not viewed that way in Taiwan, right? And in Taiwan, if you say you’re working for TSMC or studying to go off and do that, it’s a highly prestigious kind of thing,” he noted.
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The semiconductor industry is a fiercely competitive and rapidly evolving field, where companies must continually innovate and invest to stay ahead. Arm Holdings, with its energy-efficient processor designs and licensing model, has established itself as a key player by enabling many top chip manufacturers worldwide.
The comments from Arm’s CEO highlight the challenges faced by companies like Intel, emphasizing how missed opportunities in technology adoption and manufacturing investment can lead to setbacks. This reflects the broader industry reality that success depends not only on design innovation but also on cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities and workforce development.
Countries like Taiwan have created a strong ecosystem by valuing semiconductor manufacturing as a prestigious career path, fueling continuous advancement. As the global semiconductor landscape shifts, companies and nations must recognize the importance of long-term commitment, investment, and talent cultivation to maintain leadership and drive future technological progress.