Tuesday, March 13, 2018

I believe President Trump about the national security issues with computer chip consolidation.

March 12, 2018

San Francisco — President Trump (click here) has blocked Singapore-based Broadcom's proposed $117 billion takeovers of U.S. chipmaker Qualcomm for national security reasons.

In the order released Monday night, Trump cited "credible evidence" that the takeover "threatens to impair the national security of the United States."...

There are many concerns regarding AI. It is still a developing technology that has a great deal of potential to be dangerous to the operation of military infrastructure.

Currently, the US has the lead in mastering the fate of AI and chip makers will be a vital part of that. I don't care if Broadcom is based in Singapore, there is a lot on the line. This decision is based on assessments important to the USA national security.

...Coming just hours after Broadcom CEO Hock Tan met with security officials at the Pentagon in an effort to save the deal, the order follows an investigation by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which reviews purchases of American companies by foreign investors. The investigation recommended blocking the deal, citing national security risks....

I am sorry to hear President Trump is having a problem finding economic advisers. If he wants a comprehensive view of the world he should consider having co-advisers, including a union leader with significant time and experience with the USA workforce.

Union leadership would provide insight into his new directions in trade. Unions should offer help in the pool of economic advisers to the President.

November 27, 2017
By Reinhardt Krause
...UBS forecasts that the AI chip market (click here) will boom to $35 billion by 2021, up from roughly $6 billion in 2016. But AI stakes are higher than mere chip sales.

AI technology is expected to transform economies. Artificial intelligence has been called a "winner take all" technology, meaning that companies and countries that gain an edge will build upon that lead over time.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that whichever country leads in AI  will dominate global affairs.

"Artificial intelligence is the future, not only for Russia, but for all humankind," said Putin. "It comes with colossal opportunities, but also threats that are difficult to predict. Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world."...

Putin would love to have computer chip manufacturing exclusively in Asia. I think President Trump is correct on this one and the decision was made with significant national security interests.