tech

Jon Keegan6/20/25

SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son wants to build a $1 trillion AI industrial park in Arizona

One of the arguments for explaining why the US can’t manufacture many of the high-tech items we import from China is that America lacks dedicated manufacturing hubs like Shenzen, China, where hyperlocal supply chains (and cheap, skilled labor) can crank out mobile phones, laptops, and other electronics like nowhere else.

SoftBank CEO and founder Masayoshi Son wants to build such a hub in the US, according to a report from Bloomberg. Never one for modest plans, Son is suggesting what he calls “Project Crystal Land,” a massive industrial park in Arizona to build robots and AI.

Son is apparently pitching the concept to the Trump administration and wants to partner with TSMC and Samsung, but the report said those companies haven’t confirmed anything.

SoftBank is already the lead backer of the $500 billion Stargate AI data center project it’s building with OpenAI and Oracle, and is seeking loans to fund the project, which has been off to a slow start.

Masa Son Pitches $1 Trillion US AI Hub to TSMC, Trump Team

Masa Son Pitches $1 Trillion US AI Hub to TSMC, Trump Team

SoftBank CEO and founder Masayoshi Son wants to build such a hub in the US, according to a report from Bloomberg. Never one for modest plans, Son is suggesting what he calls “Project Crystal Land,” a massive industrial park in Arizona to build robots and AI.

Son is apparently pitching the concept to the Trump administration and wants to partner with TSMC and Samsung, but the report said those companies haven’t confirmed anything.

SoftBank is already the lead backer of the $500 billion Stargate AI data center project it’s building with OpenAI and Oracle, and is seeking loans to fund the project, which has been off to a slow start.

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Matt Phillips10/28/25

Intel romps amid reported attempt to poach a 21-year Taiwan Semiconductor veteran

A report in the Taiwanese press that Intel is attempting to recruit a recently retired top Taiwan Semiconductor executive, Wei-Jen Lo, to lead R&D at Intel’s troubled foundry division may account for the bump in Intel shares Tuesday, one analyst told us.

A synopsis of the report from technology analysis and news outlet TrendForce News notes:

“If confirmed, the move could have significant implications for TSMC and the broader Taiwanese semiconductor industry, especially as Intel aggressively expands its foundry business with support from Washington and backing from tech giants like NVIDIA and SoftBank, the report adds.”

But some skepticism about Lo, 75 years old, returning to Intel, where he worked before joining TSMC in 2004, is also warranted, TrendForce says:

“Industry insiders cited by the report say it is unlikely he would join Intel again, given TSMC’s non-compete rules, Intel’s status as a direct competitor, Lo’s advanced age, health considerations, and his long-standing loyalty to TSMC founder Morris Chang. On the other hand, some industry observers warn that Lo, a U.S. citizen, would be difficult for TSMC to restrict, even with non-compete clauses.”

Intel shares have doubled over the last three months, since the US government took a 10% stake in the company in August. Intel is the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 over that period.

Intel Reportedly Eyes Retired TSMC Veteran Wei-Jen Lo, Advanced Node Pioneer, to Lead R&D

[News] Intel Reportedly Eyes Retired TSMC Veteran Wei-Jen Lo, Advanced Node Pioneer, to Lead R&D

“If confirmed, the move could have significant implications for TSMC and the broader Taiwanese semiconductor industry, especially as Intel aggressively expands its foundry business with support from Washington and backing from tech giants like NVIDIA and SoftBank, the report adds.”

But some skepticism about Lo, 75 years old, returning to Intel, where he worked before joining TSMC in 2004, is also warranted, TrendForce says:

“Industry insiders cited by the report say it is unlikely he would join Intel again, given TSMC’s non-compete rules, Intel’s status as a direct competitor, Lo’s advanced age, health considerations, and his long-standing loyalty to TSMC founder Morris Chang. On the other hand, some industry observers warn that Lo, a U.S. citizen, would be difficult for TSMC to restrict, even with non-compete clauses.”

Intel shares have doubled over the last three months, since the US government took a 10% stake in the company in August. Intel is the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 over that period.

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