CHIPS Act

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez urges Congress to consider breaking up companies like Apple amid potential price hikes due to processing chip supply chain issues. She also calls for stronger consumer protections and legislative action to address rising AI-related costs and energy demands from data centers.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez advocates breaking up major tech companies like Apple amid potential price hikes due to processing chip supply chain issues. Apple's CEO Tim Cook acknowledged unavoidable cost increases, prompting calls for updated government policies to address AI-driven energy demands and consumer protections.

The European Union has launched a tech sovereignty initiative to reduce reliance on foreign providers for AI, cloud computing, and microchips. The package includes measures to boost local semiconductor production, expand data center capacity, and foster European alternatives to global tech giants.

The European Union has launched a tech sovereignty initiative to reduce reliance on foreign providers for AI, cloud computing, and microchips. The package includes measures to boost local semiconductor production through a revised Chips Act and expand data center capacity to support AI and cloud development.

A report by the OECD found that U.S. semiconductor firms received the most government support, while Chinese firms received subsidies amounting to nearly 10% of their sales in the early 2020s. The global semiconductor market, valued at $631 billion in 2024, is expected to grow due to investments in datacenters, AI, and autonomous driving, with the U.S. and Asia dominating key supply chain segments.

The article details how President Donald Trump has used government power to take equity stakes in companies across industries, including quantum computing, steel, and semiconductors, in exchange for government funding. Examples include the Commerce Department's $2 billion investment in quantum-computing companies, conditions on Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S. Steel, and Intel's 10% stake given to the government for grants. The practice is criticized as fostering crony capitalism, contrasting with past crisis-era interventions where government shares were later sold.

IBM is spinning off its first pure-play quantum chip foundry, leveraging 300mm superconducting silicon technology. The move is part of a $2 billion investment under the Chips Act, positioning IBM as a key player in quantum computing advancements.

Rep. Ro Khanna criticized Democrats for failing to connect with working-class voters by running 'status quo establishment candidates' and acknowledged systemic economic inequality. He referenced a DNC report highlighting the party's struggles with messaging and economic policy, defending DNC Chair Ken Martin despite calls for his resignation.