The AI hardware race is heating up, and NVIDIA is still far ahead. What will it take to close the gap?

In this episode, Dylan Patel (Founder & CEO, SemiAnalysis) joins Erin Price-Wright (General Partner, a16z), Guido Appenzeller (Partner, a16z), and host Erik Torenberg to break down the state of AI chips, data centers, and infrastructure strategy.

We discuss:

• Why simply copying NVIDIA won’t work, and what it takes to beat them
• How custom silicon from Google, Amazon, and Meta could reshape the market
• The economics of AI model launches and the shift toward cost efficiency
• Infrastructure bottlenecks: power, cooling, and the global supply chain
• The rise of AI silicon startups and the challenges they face
• Export controls, China’s AI ambitions, and geopolitics in the chip race
• Big tech’s next moves: advice for leaders like Jensen Huang, Sundar Pichai, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk

Resources: 

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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

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