What you need to know
- The world's chip supply chain is in disarray due to coronavirus, material shortages, and other factors.
- Intel is committed to fighting said supply chain issues as well as re-establishing U.S. leadership in the chip space.
- Its latest $20 billion investment in the chip race has officially begun construction.
The global semiconductor shortage has been impacting a variety of sectors, ranging from the auto and medical industries to PC gaming hardware manufacturing. Intel has been committed to combatting said shortage and, by extension, helping get tech companies back on their feet so that they can supply consumers with the best graphics cards and other useful hardware.
Months ago, the company spoke about putting $20 billion toward new chip factories (oftentimes referred to as fabs, a truncation of "wafer fabrication facilities") in Arizona, and now, construction has officially begun. Intel claims this marks the "largest private investment in state history" and serves as a reiteration of its focus on getting the U.S. semiconductor industry back into world-class shape. The U.S. falling behind in this department was a focus of Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger's during his appearance on the program 60 Minutes.
You can read more about Intel's investments in the two new Arizona fabs via the company's press release on the subject. And know that while Intel invests in the U.S.'s semiconductor sector, the same sorts of investments are happening with rival companies and countries.
For example, the ongoing chip war between the U.S. and China remains heated as companies such as SMIC work to ensure China's technological self-sufficiency and independence.
With regards to Intel's commencement of construction on its new Arizona fabs, don't expect these developments to fix shortage issues overnight. As many companies have said, it'll be a good year or so before there's a realistic chance of supply chains stabilizing.
