I'm currently in Taiwan, meeting academics and researchers in AI accelerators and semiconductors. I visited Taipei and TSMC in Hsinchu Science Park. Seeing TSMC's advanced chip manufacturing up close made me even more excited about where hardware is heading.

TSMC's facilities in Hsinchu Science Park, Taiwan As a PhD student at ETH Zurich's Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering (D-ITET) and CSEM, I'm part of the SwissChips program - a joint initiative by CSEM, EPFL, and ETH Zurich focused on strengthening Switzerland's position in semiconductor technologies and cutting-edge integrated circuit design. My research focuses on innovative Edge AI and chip design, specifically how to deploy AI on state-of-the-art mobile chips. SwissChips aims to maintain Switzerland's competitive edge in the global semiconductor landscape, particularly important as digital sovereignty becomes crucial with initiatives like the EU Chips Act and US CHIPS Act.

My research focuses on the intersection of advanced IC design and AI deployment, working within Switzerland's thriving semiconductor ecosystem that serves niche markets while contributing to cutting-edge research. I strongly believe the future of AI is mobile, local, and on specialized accelerators - a vision that aligns perfectly with SwissChips' mission to democratize IC design and foster innovation in microelectronics.

Meeting with researchers and academics in Taiwan

Taiwan stands at the forefront of global semiconductor manufacturing, with TSMC producing the world's most advanced chips. As Chris Miller masterfully explains in his book "Chip War," microchips have become the new oil - the scarce resource on which the modern world depends. Everything from missiles to microwaves, cars to smartphones, runs on chips. Taiwan, particularly through TSMC, manufactures over 90% of the world's most advanced semiconductors, making it arguably the most strategically important location in the global technology landscape.

Being here and witnessing the ecosystem firsthand - from the foundries to the research labs - reinforces the geopolitical importance of semiconductors. The ongoing competition between the United States and China for chip supremacy, with Taiwan at the center, underscores why understanding and advancing semiconductor technology is crucial. Military, economic, and geopolitical power are now built on a foundation of computer chips, and Taiwan's role in manufacturing these critical components cannot be overstated.

The visit to Taiwan provides invaluable insights for my work within SwissChips, where we're addressing the growing complexity and costs of semiconductor technologies. As IC design evolves rapidly, the burden of accessing state-of-the-art technology has dramatically increased, even for low-volume prototypes. This experience in Taiwan, observing one of the world's most advanced semiconductor ecosystems, directly informs our efforts to democratize IC design in Switzerland and maintain our strong position within the European semiconductor landscape.

Taiwan's vibrant tech ecosystem and innovation hub

Advancing AI hardware research and semiconductor innovation in Taiwan

If you're working on any of the following, let's connect!

• AI accelerator design and architecture
• Mobile AI deployment and optimization
• Edge computing and on-device inference
• Semiconductor research and innovation
• Hardware-software co-design for AI

Happy to connect with researchers, founders, and engineers!

Excited about building something great! Stay tuned!