Pat Gelsinger, Former CEO of Intel, Commends NVIDIA’s US-Made Blackwell Wafer and Supports Domestic Chip Manufacturing Revival

Pat Gelsinger, Former CEO of Intel, Commends NVIDIA’s US-Made Blackwell Wafer and Supports Domestic Chip Manufacturing Revival

Pat Gelsinger, the former CEO of Intel, recently expressed his enthusiasm regarding NVIDIA’s production of the inaugural Blackwell chip wafer in the United States. His commentary highlights a significant advancement in American manufacturing.

Pat Gelsinger’s Endorsement of NVIDIA’s Commitment to U. S.Manufacturing

This instance marks a rare moment of praise from Gelsinger towards NVIDIA, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. Historically, his previous critiques suggested that NVIDIA’s trajectory in AI did not align with his expectations. In a recent post on X, he voiced his approval of NVIDIA’s initiative to reinstate manufacturing within the U. S.Gelsinger stated that fostering advanced product development domestically has been a core part of his vision, making NVIDIA’s recent achievement noteworthy.

Gelsinger has long been an advocate for U. S.manufacturing, a cause that inspired him to launch Intel’s “IDM 2.0″strategy. This initiative aims to position the company as a frontrunner in the semiconductor landscape for the coming decades. During his tenure, Intel made significant investments in the domestic chip sector and benefitted from the CHIPS Act established under the Biden administration. Clearly, Gelsinger’s contributions have been pivotal to promoting the “Made in USA”ethos, going back well before the current focus of major tech companies.

NVIDIA and TSMC executives with Blackwell Made in America plaque on stage with American flag.
Image Credits: NVIDIA

NVIDIA’s production of the Blackwell wafers in Arizona represents a significant milestone; however, challenges persist. One notable constraint is the lack of adequate OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) services in the U. S., particularly related to advanced packaging. As a result, the country remains dependent on international facilities for various manufacturing stages. Establishing a fully integrated supply chain within the U. S.will require years, if not decades, and it is essential to focus on more than just wafer fabrication to achieve self-sufficiency.

Navigating the rivalry between Intel and NVIDIA during Gelsinger’s leadership, he has previously dubbed the CUDA software stack a ‘moat’ for NVIDIA. Conversely, Intel, aiming to gain ground in the inference market, has expressed concerns over the cost implications of using NVIDIA chips for such applications. Despite these tensions, Gelsinger’s recent acknowledgment of NVIDIA’s manufacturing efforts signals a growing recognition of the importance of domestic semiconductor production, a vital development in today’s technology-driven landscape.

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