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Democratizing Chip Design: Global Foundries' Strategy in the AI Era

01-22-2025

Not many people knew what semiconductor chips were until $50,000 cars sat in a manufacturing lot waiting on a $5 chip, notes Tom Caulfield, CEO of Global Foundries. Even after realizing that almost every smart device — dishwashers to cellphones — operate on semiconductor chips, most people may not realize that 80% of them are manufactured outside of the U.S., creating geopolitical and geographic risks, says Caulfield.

In an engaging discussion with Purdue’s President Mung Chiang on January 15, 2025, he shared valuable insights into the semiconductor industry and its critical role in the global economy. Their conversation highlights the importance of chip manufacturing and the challenges faced by the industry.

One key insight is the crucial role of chip foundries in the semiconductor industry. Caulfield explains how the industry shifted from vertically integrated companies to specialized design and manufacturing firms, with foundries like Global Foundries becoming essential to the supply chain. This separation allows companies to focus on their designs while leveraging the scale of foundries for the manufacturing.

As the largest manufacturing company in the U.S., Global Foundries is significant to companies like Nvidia and SK Hynix. Caulfield notes how the CHIPS Act is a vital initiative to strengthen American semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.

Caulfield highlights how Global Foundries empowers companies to innovate by providing a range of technologies beyond just the smallest transistor sizes. This approach allows customers to create specialized chips for various applications, from smartphones to automotive systems, fostering innovation across multiple sectors.

He’s eager to increase the excitement around the industry and draw more engineers and business professionals to the industry. Global Foundries has created a leading workforce development program that increased continuing education benefits to $10K — it used to be limited to $5,200 — and they provide student debt relief up to a $28.5K lifetime benefit. They’ve built global partnerships, offer courses, and work with employees to ensure they can remain with the company as they work on their visas.

Watch Mung Chiang’s Fireside Chat with Thomas Caulfield