Something big just happened in the world of computer chips! Two giant companies, NVIDIA and Intel, announced they are working together. They plan to make a new, super-powerful "revolutionary" chip.
Even with this new partnership, another company, TSMC, remains the most important chip maker. Its role is actually getting stronger. This change shows that companies that build electronics—from phones to AI devices—need to understand these new relationships to find new opportunities.
On September 18, 2025, the CEOs of NVIDIA and Intel announced a historic partnership. The main part of the deal is that NVIDIA will invest $5 billion in Intel. They will work together to create several new generations of CPUs (the brain of a computer) for data centers and PCs.
The CEO of NVIDIA, Jensen Huang, said the focus is on building custom CPUs for data centers that can connect to NVIDIA's AI ecosystem. They will also work on new innovations for personal computers.
This creates a new kind of teamwork in the industry:
Intel provides the x86 architecture (the core design).
NVIDIA brings its super-strong graphics (GPU) technology.
TSMC is the factory that actually manufactures the chips.
This shows that even huge companies like Intel are choosing to specialize and rely on expert manufacturers like TSMC. Jensen Huang himself praised TSMC, calling it a "world-class chip factory." This is a clear signal that TSMC will be the top choice for making the most advanced chips for the foreseeable future.
The way chips are made is changing, and it's pushing electronics manufacturing to become more AI-driven. AI applications, from the cloud to the devices in our hands, are creating new needs.
AI is exploding in personal devices, which is a huge opportunity. For example, the performance of AI chips in new smartphones is getting much faster, sometimes doubling in power. This means the factories that put these devices together need to handle more complex and powerful components.
Also, the types of AI devices are becoming more diverse. We're seeing new kinds of gadgets, like AI pins and pocket companions, that don't use apps like traditional phones do. Instead, you talk to them. This means electronics manufacturers need to be ready for many different shapes and sizes of products, and they need to adapt to much faster production cycles.
As making chips themselves gets harder, companies are finding new ways to package them together to boost performance. TSMC is planning to build special advanced packaging factories in the US.
This is a big deal for manufacturers. New packaging technologies mean chips can be packed closer together, making them more powerful. For electronics makers, this means they will need to learn how to work with these new, more complex and integrated designs.
Innovations in materials are also important. To make batteries last longer in smart devices, new materials are being used. This is a chance for manufacturing companies to move into higher-value areas. New screen and camera technologies are also creating fresh opportunities for growth.
World politics are changing where and how things are made. TSMC is building new factories in the US, Japan, and Germany. This is because many American companies want their chips made outside of Asia for security reasons—a concept called "geographic redundancy."
For example, a company called MediaTek recently said it would be the first non-US company to make its chips at TSMC's US factory. This shows that where a product is made is becoming just as important as how it's made.
By 2028, about 20% of TSMC's manufacturing capacity could be outside of Taiwan. This gives electronics companies more flexibility in choosing their supply chains, but it also requires them to be better at managing global operations.
To succeed in this changing world, electronics manufacturing companies need to think carefully about their strategy.
Choose the Right Technology: It's more important than ever to develop skills related to advanced manufacturing and new packaging technologies. The expansion of TSMC overseas is a key opportunity to watch.
Pick the Right Products: While the market for traditional devices like smartphones is slowing down, new AI hardware, VR/AR glasses, and smart home products are growing fast (over 25% each year!). Companies should focus their energy on these growing areas.
Build a Stronger Supply Chain: The example of MediaTek making chips in the US shows that supply chains are becoming more regional. Companies need to build supply chains that can handle unexpected problems, like trade disputes.
Work with New Customers: Companies should also pay attention to rising chip companies from different parts of the world, as they represent new business opportunities.
In the short term, electronics companies should focus on TSMC's plans to open its US factories around 2026-2027. This will be a key window to get involved in the AI chip supply chain.
In the long run, they need to invest in new packaging technologies and build a global supply chain system. The competition in electronics manufacturing is shifting from just being about low cost to being about technical skill, flexibility, and the ability to manage complex global networks. Companies that can adapt quickly will be the ones that succeed in the AI-driven future.
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