Biden Administration Picks Google Chair John Hennessy for Next-Generation Chip Development

The Biden administration has revealed that John Hennessy, the chairman of Google's parent firm Alphabet Inc., has been chosen to help study and create next-generation computer processors.

The US Commerce Department is anticipated to make the formal announcement on Tuesday, strengthening the domestic chipmaking sector and boosting US technical competitiveness.

John Hennessy and four other technology industry leaders will choose the National Semiconductor Technology Center's board of trustees, according to a Reuters report. This bipartisan $52.7 billion semiconductor manufacturing and research statute, offering subsidies for developing new chip facilities, permitted this public-private collaboration. The nonprofit board decides where research facilities are located in the US and other politically delicate matters.

President Joe Biden's administration wants to reinvigorate the local chipmaking sector by creating high-paying employment, decreasing dependency on China and Taiwan, and gaining a competitive advantage in innovative technology that will power future military capabilities.

The COVID-19 epidemic and chip shortages have led to rising consumer inflation and widespread shortages in areas including cars, washing machines, and video gaming consoles, according to economists.

Gina Raimondo, the secretary of commerce, outlined her goals for the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), saying she wanted it to be an "engine of innovation" that will sustain and expand American leadership in semiconductor design, engineering, and advanced manufacturing for many years to come, according to CNA. The selection committee's formation marks the NSTC's creation and success.

Intel's New Chip Advances Quantum Computing

In related news, Intel has revealed that its most current silicon-based quantum computers are already in production. The Tunnel Falls chip, a 12-qubit chip, supports researchers and academics in quantum computing and accelerates the development of real quantum computers, per PC Gamer. These devices are being supplied to quantum computing researchers as development tools.

In the past, bespoke devices had to be developed often for quantum computing research, which was expensive and time-consuming. As an alternative, developers were restricted in their flexibility since they had to modify their software to work on cloud services or within the constraints of the available hardware.

The Tunnel Falls device made utilizing complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) manufacturing technology, is a significant step toward unlocking quantum computing's potential and advancing research.