Podcast
The Circuit
Hosted by Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg · EN
A podcast about the business and market of semiconductors
44episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
EP 147: Talking All Things AI with Benedict Evans
Dec 2900:52:04Tap to summarizeIn this conversation, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg engage with Benedict Evans to explore the current state of AI development, its historical context, and future predictions. They discuss the potential for an AI bubble, the importance of productization for user adoption, and the varying levels of AI integration across different industries. The conversation also touches on the comparison between Nvidia and Sun Microsystems, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in the AI landscape.
Transcribe →EP 146: The State of AI Networking with Austin Lyons
Dec 2200:49:41Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ben Bajarin, Jay Goldberg, and Austin Lyons delve into the evolving landscape of networking, particularly in the context of AI and GPU technologies. They discuss the transition from traditional networking methods to more complex AI-driven networking, the significance of scaling strategies, and the critical role of SerDes in modern data centers. The conversation also touches on the ongoing debate between copper and optical networking solutions, highlighting the challenges and innovations in the field.
Transcribe →Episode 124: The State of The Japanese Semiconductor Industry
Jul 1, 2025Tap to summarizeIn this conversation, Jay Goldberg and Professor John Metzler discuss the current state and future prospects of the Japanese semiconductor industry, focusing on key players like TSMC and Rapidus. They explore insights from Metzler's recent trips to Japan, the challenges of talent acquisition, and the broader implications for global semiconductor competition. The discussion highlights the unique approaches being taken in Japan, including the integration of AI and photonics, and the importance of a sustainable business model for new ventures in the semiconductor space.
Transcribe →Episode 98: 2024 Semi Recap and Outlook Into 2025
Dec 21, 202400:36:44Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the current state of the semiconductor market as they transition from 2024 to 2025. They analyze Nvidia's growth trajectory, the challenges faced by AMD and Intel, and the performance of other key players like Apple and Broadcom. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on the semiconductor industry, the role of custom ASICs versus GPUs, and the future of cloud software in relation to hyperscalers like Microsoft and Google. The hosts provide insights into market trends and expectations for the upcoming year, emphasizing the importance of understanding the evolving landscape of technology and investment opportunities.
Transcribe →Episode 97: Accellerated Infrastructure - Marvell Analyst Day, Broadcomm Earnings - Infra!!
Dec 13, 202400:51:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent Marvell Industry Analyst Day, focusing on the concept of accelerated infrastructure in data centers, the competitive landscape with Broadcom, and the significance of custom HBM in AI silicon. They explore how Marvell is positioning itself as a data center company and the implications of custom solutions in the evolving semiconductor industry. The conversation also touches on Nvidia's dominance and the future of data centers, emphasizing the need for optimization and the potential for a shift back to more affordable solutions. In this conversation, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the recent developments surrounding Broadcom, particularly its stock surge attributed to optimism in AI. They delve into the company's market position, the significance of data center design, and the distinction between Total Addressable Market (TAM) and Serviceable Addressable Market (SAM). The discussion also covers the critical role of networking in AI, the rise of million-node data centers, and Broadcom's strategy regarding M&A and custom silicon. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of AI and the competitive dynamics between major players in the industry.
Transcribe →Episode 96: The State of Intel Post Pat G, Product Roadmap focus, Foundries Strategic Value
Dec 6, 202400:46:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the unexpected retirement of Pat Gelsinger from Intel and its implications for the company's future. They explore the strategic direction Intel may take post-Gelsinger, the challenges of leadership transition, and the importance of product focus versus foundry operations. The conversation delves into the need for a growth strategy in a competitive landscape and the potential paths forward for Intel as it navigates these changes. In this conversation, Jay Goldberg and Ben Bajarin discuss the current state and future of Intel, focusing on its CPU market position, the challenges it faces with its Foundry strategy, and the implications of TSMC's market power. They explore the sentiment surrounding Intel, the role of the board in shaping its future, and the technological optimism tied to upcoming products. The discussion highlights the need for competitive foundries in the semiconductor industry and the potential consequences of TSMC's dominance.
Transcribe →Episode 95: QCOM Financial Investor Day, and NVIDA Earnings (age of Nvidia is over)
Nov 25, 202400:40:15Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss Qualcomm's recent Analyst Day and NVIDIA's earnings report. They analyze Qualcomm's shift towards becoming a compute-centric company, the challenges in the smartphone market, and the potential growth in automotive and IoT sectors. The conversation then shifts to NVIDIA, where they explore the implications of its recent earnings, the end of its rapid growth phase, and the competitive landscape in inference technology. The hosts emphasize the importance of execution for Qualcomm and the evolving dynamics in the semiconductor industry.
Transcribe →Episode 94: Chatting Apple Silicon with Apple's Tim Millet and Tom Boger
Nov 18, 202400:35:22Tap to summarizeIn this enlightening conversation, Ben Bajarin hosts Apple executives Tom Boger and Tim Millet to discuss the significance of Apple Silicon in the company's product ecosystem. They delve into the relentless pursuit of performance per watt, the integration of hardware and software, and Apple's unique approach to AI and on-device intelligence. The discussion also covers how Apple manages to push performance boundaries in a landscape where Moore's Law is slowing down, emphasizing the importance of architecture, design, and technology in their strategy.
Transcribe →Episode 93: Arm/QCOM Earnings, Trump Presidency Impact on Semis, NVDA Preview
Nov 11, 202400:37:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss recent earnings reports from Arm and Qualcomm, analyzing market reactions and the implications of ongoing lawsuits. They delve into Qualcomm's diversification strategy, particularly in the automotive sector, and the potential impact of political changes on semiconductor policy. The conversation also touches on Nvidia's strong demand and supply constraints, highlighting the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the challenges ahead.
Transcribe →Episode 92: Another week in Semi's Earnings. -AMD, Intel, Capex growth in Cloud
Nov 4, 202400:44:50Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Ben Bajarin and Jay Goldberg discuss the latest earnings reports from AMD and Intel, focusing on market expectations, performance, and the challenges faced by both companies. They analyze AMD's struggle to meet high investor expectations in the AI market and Intel's ongoing turnaround efforts under CEO Pat Gelsinger, highlighting the balance between financial prudence and technological leadership. The conversation also touches on the mixed reactions from the market regarding Intel's recent earnings and the implications for its future. In this conversation, Jay Goldberg and Ben Bajarin discuss Intel's recent financial strategies, particularly focusing on their gross margins and the implications of their decisions. They delve into the cultural challenges within Intel that may affect its future, and explore the dynamics of the mobile technology market, including the performance of companies like MediaTek, Corvo, and Qualcomm.
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