Technology & Science
Chip War
Chris Miller
A gripping exploration of the high-stakes battle for semiconductor supremacy between the United States and China, revealing how chips have shaped geopolitics, the global economy, and the balance of military power. From the Cold War origins of Silicon Valley to the cutting-edge foundries of Taiwan, discover the intricate supply chains and strategic decisions that have made semiconductors the world's most critical technology. It is a geopolitical thriller masquerading as a history of technology. Written by economic historian Chris Miller, the book argues that the modern world is not built on steel or oil, but on silicon. It frames the semiconductor industry as the central battlefield in the rivalry between the United States and China. Miller traces the history of the microchip from the early days of Silicon Valley to its current status as the most complex manufacturing process humanity has ever achieved. He highlights the extreme fragility of the global supply chain. The entire world relies on advanced chips that can only be produced by a single company, TSMC, located on the vulnerable island of Taiwan. Furthermore, the machines required to print these chips are made exclusively by the Dutch company ASML. The book explains how the United States lost its manufacturing dominance while retaining control over the critical software and tools used to design chips. Miller asserts that this control allows the US to weaponize the supply chain, cutting off adversaries from computing power. "Chip War" is a sobering look at how a tiny piece of silicon determines the balance of military power and the future of the global economy.
AI 2041
Kai-Fu Lee
In 'AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future,' AI expert Kai-Fu Lee and award-winning science fiction writer Chen Qiufan collaborate to present ten captivating short stories, each set in the year 2041, exploring how artificial intelligence will profoundly reshape human society. Blending imaginative narratives with insightful analysis, the book delves into the potential impacts of AI on everything from deep learning and autonomous vehicles to quantum computing, universal basic income, and personal privacy. It offers a balanced, hopeful, yet realistic roadmap for navigating the opportunities and challenges of an AI-powered future, prompting readers to consider their role in shaping it.