Don Clark
(He/Him)
As seen in:
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The New York Times en Español,
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The Economic Times
and
Covers:
Semiconductors and computing-related hardware, a small sideline in big enterprise tech companies
Doesn't Cover:
Startups (with the exception of chip-related companies)
More than 40 years covering tech, now freelancing on chips and enterprise tech for the New York Times--and playing a lot of music. donclarktunes@gmail.com
Articles by Don Clark
Driven by A.I. Boom, Chip Makers Announce $115 Billion Merger Original
Marvell Technology on Monday announced a $115 billion stock swap to buy Lumentum Holdings, in a major bet that a technology known as optical networking will be crucial to the build-out of data centers for artificial intelligence. The transaction between the two Silicon Valley companies, which includes Lumentum’s debt, would rank as the largest ever by value between publicly held tech companies.
Intel’s Shares Plunge 20% as A.I. Hinders Some Parts of Its Business Original
Intel, the chipmaker whose largest investor is the U.S. government, revealed on Thursday how the artificial intelligence boom has become a double-edged sword for its business. The Silicon Valley pioneer reported that its revenue rose 21 percent to $16.5 billion in its third quarter. That jump from a year earlier, the latest sign of a gradual rebound, reflected furious demand for chips that are particularly useful in managing agent-style A.I. services in data centers.
Americans need to be mindful of where they are getting their information
I believe most Americans are not receiving accurate political news. If your goal is to get as close to the actual facts as possible, I wouldn’t rely on any single news channel — including Fox, CNN, MSNBC or even a fact-checker. I’d use a layered approach. My recommended sources: • Congressional Research Service (CRS) — One of my favorites for understanding legislation, government policy, immigration, defense, taxes, energy, etc.
The artificial intelligence boom has lifted chipmakers including Nvidia, Micron and South Korea’s SK Hynix. Now Intel, which has begun rebounding from a lengthy slump, is benefiting from a new shift in A.I. spending. Tech firms are not only buying A.I. chips known as graphics processing units, made by companies like Nvidia, but also increasingly purchasing microprocessors known as central processing units — which are exactly what Intel makes.
How a niche technology became a choke point for AI
SAN FRANCISCO — Subramanian Iyer, an electrical engineer and educator, has long specialized in a sleepy niche of the semiconductor industry that has now become a major choke point in the global contest for artificial intelligence leadership. That niche is a technology called advanced chip packaging, which bundles as many as dozens of the components in palm-size modules.
How a Niche Technology Became a Choke Point for A.I.
Subramanian Iyer, an electrical engineer and educator, has long specialized in a sleepy niche of the semiconductor industry that has now become a major choke point in the global contest for artificial intelligence leadership. That niche is a technology called advanced chip packaging, which bundles as many as dozens of the components in palm-size modules.
How a Niche Technology Became a Choke Point for A.I.
In the continental battle of the North American hosts, Mexico stand on top after three rounds. The question now is: who can stay in the heat of …
IBM says it has found a way to keep shrinking the technology inside chips
EDITORS NOTE: ART ADV: With photo. SAN FRANCISCO -- For decades, the tech industry has relied on the ability of semiconductor companies to wring more power out of computer chips, making the smartphones that fit in a hand today more capable than the computers that filled entire rooms 40 years ago. While some experts worry that era of increased miniaturization is ending, IBM is saying not so fast.
IBM says it has found a way to keep shrinking the technology inside chips
EDITORS NOTE: ART ADV: With photo. SAN FRANCISCO -- For decades, the tech industry has relied on the ability of semiconductor companies to wring more power out of computer chips, making the smartphones that fit in a hand today more capable than the computers that filled entire rooms 40 years ago. While some experts worry that era of increased miniaturization is ending, IBM is saying not so fast.
IBM Says It Has Found a Way to Keep Shrinking the Technology Inside Chips
Technology 1 hour ago IBM says it has built the first sub-1nm chip technology TNW - Ana-Maria Stanciuc • 1h The 0.7nm node uses a new 3D ‘nanostack’ design and, by IBM’s account, packs nearly 100 billion transistors onto a fingernail-sized chip. IBM announced that it has built the world’s first sub-1nm chip technology, a transistor architecture at what it calls the 0.7nm, or 7-angstrom, node.
IBM Says It Has Found a Way to Keep Shrinking the Technology Inside Chips Original
IBM Says It Has Found a Way to Keep Shrinking the Technology Inside Chips Industry leaders had worried that innovations in chip miniaturization were no longer possible.
IBM Says It Has Found a Way to Keep Shrinking the Technology Inside Chips
SAN FRANCISCO -- For decades, the tech industry has relied on the ability of semiconductor companies to wring more power out of computer chips, making the smartphones that fit in a hand today more capable than the computers that filled entire rooms 40 years ago. While some experts worry that era of increased miniaturization is ending, IBM is saying not so fast.
IBM Says It Has Found a Way to Keep Shrinking the Technology Inside Chips
SAN FRANCISCO -- For decades, the tech industry has relied on the ability of semiconductor companies to wring more power out of computer chips, making the smartphones that fit in a hand today more capable than the computers that filled entire rooms 40 years ago. While some experts worry that era of increased miniaturization is ending, IBM is saying not so fast.
China Takes Supercomputer Crown From U.S. for First Time Since 2017
SAN FRANCISCO -- China took back a coveted computing crown from the United States on Tuesday, ratcheting up a fierce technological competition that has implications for science, national security and geopolitics. LineShine, a massive computing system in Shenzhen, China, was declared the world's fastest by a group of researchers using a set of standard tests for supercomputers.
China Takes Supercomputer Crown From U.S. for First Time Since 2017
SAN FRANCISCO -- China took back a coveted computing crown from the United States on Tuesday, ratcheting up a fierce technological competition that has implications for science, national security and geopolitics. LineShine, a massive computing system in Shenzhen, China, was declared the world's fastest by a group of researchers using a set of standard tests for supercomputers.
China Takes Supercomputer Crown From U.S. for First Time Since 2017
China Takes Supercomputer Crown From U.S. for First Time Since 2017 A supercomputer in Shenzhen was declared the world’s fastest. It uses only standard microprocessors and not the special-purpose chips called graphics processing units. China’s National Supercomputing Center in Wuxi in 2020.
Intel’s Revenues Soar, Aided by A.I. Boom Original
Intel posted blowout financial results on Thursday, a sign that the long-suffering chip maker is finally reaping substantial benefits from the artificial intelligence boom. Revenue in the first quarter rose 7 percent to $13.6 billion, the Silicon Valley company said, more than $1 billion higher than Wall Street expected. Intel’s projection for sales in the current quarter also beat prior estimates by a wide margin.
Arm Holdings, in Break From Past, Will Sell Its Own Computer Chips
Arm Holdings licenses technology to semiconductor designers that powers nearly all mobile phones and many other products. Now, it has a chip of its own to sell. The company, a British unit of Japan’s SoftBank, on Tuesday announced plans for the first silicon product that Arm will design and sell since its founding in 1990. It is a microprocessor aimed at data centers running artificial intelligence tasks. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, helped develop the chip and signed up as its first user.
Arm Holdings, in Break From Past, Will Sell Its Own Computer Chips
SAN FRANCISCO -- Arm Holdings licenses technology to semiconductor designers that powers nearly all mobile phones and many other products. Now, it has a chip of its own to sell. kAm%96 4@>A2?J[ 2 qC:E:D9 F?:E @7 y2A2?VD $@7Eq2?<[ @? %F6D52J 2??@F?465 A=2?D 7@C E96 7:CDE D:=:4@? AC@5F4E E92E pC> H:== 56D:8? 2?5 D6== D:?46 :ED 7@F?5:?8 :?
Intel strikes deal with a chip startup its CEO invested in
Intel, which has lagged in making chips for artificial intelligence, is turning for help to a startup that its CEO helps lead as an investor and chair. The ailing Silicon Valley chip company has struck a multiyear technical partnership with SambaNova Systems, a 9-year-old semiconductor company that is aiming to challenge the market leader, Nvidia. Intel and SambaNova will work on developing a cloud AI service run by SambaNova, among other things, the companies said Tuesday.
Intel strikes deal with a chip startup its CEO invested in
Synopsis Intel, which has lagged in making chips for artificial intelligence, is turning for help to a startup that its CEO helps lead as an investor and chair. Listen to this article in summarized format Intel, which has lagged in making chips for artificial intelligence, is turning for help to a startup that its CEO helps lead as an investor and chair.
Intel Strikes Deal With a Chip Startup Its CEO Invested In
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Intel Strikes Deal With a Chip Startup Its CEO Invested In
SAN FRANCISCO -- Intel, which has lagged in making chips for artificial intelligence, is turning for help to a startup that its CEO helps lead as an investor and chair. The ailing Silicon Valley chip company has struck a multiyear technical partnership with SambaNova Systems, a 9-year-old semiconductor company that is aiming to challenge the market leader, Nvidia. Intel and SambaNova will work on developing a cloud AI service run by SambaNova, among other things, the companies said Tuesday.
Intel Strikes Deal With a Chip Start-Up Its C.E.O. Invested In Original
Intel Strikes Deal With a Chip Start-Up Its C.E.O. Invested In A technical partnership embraces SambaNova Systems, which Intel’s chief, Lip-Bu Tan, helps lead as an investor and chairman. Intel said Lip-Bu Tan, its chief executive, had recused himself from talks involving SambaNova Systems.Credit...Laure Andrillon/Reuters Feb.
How the AI boom could push up the price of your next PC
Illuminated memory modules inside a customized PC in the production room at Falcon Northwest in Medford, Ore. on Jan. 21. Falcon Northwest, which specializes in assembling customized PCs, is one of many businesses affected by the memory supply crunch. SAN FRANCISCO - Kelt Reeves has sold high-end personal computers for 34 years, catering to gamers and others who are willing to pay $4,000 and more for extreme performance.
How the AI Boom Could Push Up the Price of Your Next PC
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How the AI boom could push up the price of your next PC
Don Clark Kelt Reeves has sold high-end personal computers for 34 years, catering to gamers and others who are willing to pay $4,000 and more for extreme performance. His company, Falcon Northwest, builds these systems to order using powerful computer chips, particularly a variety known as random-access memory, or RAM, which hold data temporarily while other chips crunch numbers and display graphics.
How the AI boom could push up the price of your next PC
SAN FRANCISCO: Kelt Reeves has sold high-end personal computers for 34 years, catering to gamers and others who are willing to pay US$4,000 (RM15,702) and more for extreme performance. His company, Falcon Northwest, builds these systems to order using powerful computer chips, particularly a variety known as random-access memory, or RAM, which hold data temporarily while other chips crunch numbers and display graphics.
Cómo el auge de la IA podría hacer subir el precio de tu próxima computadora portátil
Como los chips de memoria son en gran medida intercambiables, durante décadas los vendedores compitieron principalmente en el precio. Sigue a en Discover: los temas que te gustan, directo y al instante. La crisis de los chips de memoria es el último efecto dominó del frenesí de la IA, que ha trastornado Silicon Valley y ha elevado la fortuna de fabricantes de chips de IA como Nvidia.
How the A.I. Boom Could Push Up the Price of Your Next PC
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Falcon Northwest, which specializes in assembling customized PCs in Medford, Ore., is one of many businesses affected by a memory supply crunch.Credit...Video by Loren Elliott For The New York Times Supported by SKIP ADVERTISEMENT Listen to this article · 7:55 min Learn more Jan.
Does the Job of C.E.O. or Private Investor Come First? Intel’s Chief Is Juggling That Question.
SKIP ADVERTISEMENT You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Over the summer, the chip maker Intel made an offer to buy Rivos, a start-up that designs artificial intelligence chips. Intel’s bid, described by two people with knowledge of the talks, was part of a sale process by Rivos, which was eventually snapped up by Meta in October.
To Meld A.I. With Supercomputers, National Labs Are Picking Up the Pace
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. For years, Rick Stevens, a computer scientist at Argonne National Laboratory, pushed the notion of transforming scientific computing with artificial intelligence.
Qualcomm Unveils New Line of Chips to Join the A.I. Boom Original
Qualcomm, a longtime kingpin in chips for smartphones, has largely missed out as demand has surged for chips used in data centers for artificial intelligence. Now it may finally be joining the party. The San Diego company announced a new line of A.I. chips on Monday, sold in complete systems or as add-in cards for other computers, along with a major order for the technology from a high-profile company in Saudi Arabia.
Qualcomm Unveils New Line of Chips to Join the AI Boom
SAN FRANCISCO -- Qualcomm, a longtime kingpin in chips for smartphones, has largely missed out as demand has surged for chips used in data centers for artificial intelligence. Now it may finally be joining the party. kAm%96 $2? s:68@ 4@>A2?J 2??@F?465 2 ?6H =:?6 @7 px 49:AD |@?52J[ D@=5 :? 4@>A=6E6 DJDE6>D @C 2D 255\:? 42C5D 7@C @E96C 4@>AFE6CD[ 2=@?8 H:E9 2 >2;@C @C56C 7@C E96 E649?@=@8J 7C@> 2 9:89\AC@7:=6 4@>A2?J :? $2F5: pC23:2]k^Am kAm"F2=4@>>VD D92C6D :?:E:2==J ;F>A65 3J >@C6 E92? a_T @?
Qualcomm Unveils New Line of Chips to Join the AI Boom
SAN FRANCISCO -- Qualcomm, a longtime kingpin in chips for smartphones, has largely missed out as demand has surged for chips used in data centers for artificial intelligence. Now it may finally be joining the party. kAm%96 $2? s:68@ 4@>A2?J 2??@F?465 2 ?6H =:?6 @7 px 49:AD |@?52J[ D@=5 :? 4@>A=6E6 DJDE6>D @C 2D 255\:? 42C5D 7@C @E96C 4@>AFE6CD[ 2=@?8 H:E9 2 >2;@C @C56C 7@C E96 E649?@=@8J 7C@> 2 9:89\AC@7:=6 4@>A2?J :? $2F5: pC23:2]k^Am kAm"F2=4@>>VD D92C6D :?:E:2==J ;F>A65 3J >@C6 E92? a_T @?
The long, painful downfall of Intel
SAN FRANCISCO: Engineers once strode across Intel’s Silicon Valley headquarters with pride. The semiconductor company they worked for had helped birth the region’s tech industry, sparked the personal computer revolution and turned the tiny transistor into the brains of everything from toasters to fighter jets. Intel did so partly by following the business philosophy of its third employee, Andy Grove, who held top leadership positions from 1979 to 2005 and was CEO from 1987 to 1998.
Intel's Downfall Underlines How Even Tech Giants Can Fade Original
Engineers once strode across Intel’s Silicon Valley headquarters with pride. The semiconductor company they worked for had helped birth the region’s tech industry, sparked the personal computer revolution and turned the tiny transistor into the brains of everything from toasters to fighter jets. Intel did so partly by following the business philosophy of its third employee, Andy Grove, who held top leadership positions from 1979 to 2005 and was chief executive from 1987 to 1998.
Who is Lip-Bu Tan, the Intel CEO in Trump’s Cross Hairs? Original
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Meet the Intel C.E.O. in Trump’s Cross Hairs Lip-Bu Tan took the reins of Intel in March. On Thursday, President Trump called for his resignation. Intel’s chief executive Lip-Bu Tan speaks at the company’s annual event in San Jose in April.Credit...Laure Andrillon/Reuters Aug.
Intel Expects Workforce Layoffs | Recruiting News Network
Intel, the ailing semiconductor giant, said on Thursday that it expected its work force to shrink by more than 25,000 employees this year as the company continues searching for a turnaround. The chipmaker, which reported 108,900 employees at the end of last year, said it now expected layoffs, attrition and other actions to reduce its head count to 75,000 by the end of 2025.
Intel Expects Work Force to Shrink by 25,000
You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Intel Expects Work Force to Shrink by 25,000 The Silicon Valley chip company, which has been struggling, quantified the job cuts it is making as it seeks to turn its business around.
US Energy Department unveils supercomputer that merges with AI
SAN FRANCISCO: Scientific computing and artificial intelligence were once separate worlds, using different kinds of calculations on distinctly different hardware. But the two fields are steadily merging, as shown by a massive new machine coming to Berkeley, California. On Thursday, the Department of Energy’s laboratory near the University of California, Berkeley, said it had selected Dell Technologies to deliver its next flagship supercomputer in 2026.
Energy Dept. Unveils Supercomputer That Merges With A.I.
4 hours ago US supercomputer named after Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna to power AI and scientific research BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — A new supercomputer named after a winner of the Nobel Prize in chemistry will help power artificial intelligence technology and scientific discoveries from a perch in the hills above the University of California, Berkeley, federal officials said Thursday.
Energy Department Unveils New Supercomputer That Merges With A.I. Original
The new supercomputer shows the increasing desire of government labs to adopt more technologies from commercial artificial intelligence systems. Scientific computing and artificial intelligence were once separate worlds, using different kinds of calculations on distinctly different hardware. But the two fields are steadily merging, as shown by a massive new machine coming to Berkeley, Calif.
SoftBank to Buy Ampere, a Silicon Valley Chip Startup, for $6.5 Billion
SAN FRANCISCO -- SoftBank said Wednesday that it had agreed to pay $6.5 billion for the Silicon Valley chip startup Ampere Computing, doubling down on a bet that technology that originated in smartphones will come to dominate the world’s data centers. The deal also reflects the Japanese conglomerate’s belief that Ampere’s chips can begin to play a significant role in artificial intelligence, where Nvidia has reaped the most rewards.
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