[News] TSMC Founder on Rivals: Intel Needs New Strategy, while Samsung Bothered by Technical Issues

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According to a report from Economic Daily News, at the launch event for the second volume of his autobiography yesterday, TSMC founder Morris Chang shared insights about TSMC’s two major rivals, Intel and Samsung. Chang once referred to these two competitors as “700-pound gorillas.” However, both Intel and Samsung are now facing challenges.

On Intel’s Challenges: Lack of New Strategies and Missed AI Opportunities

As noted in the report, Intel has been facing significant challenges recently. Analyzing the company’s issues, Chang identified a “lack of new strategies” as its critical weakness. The report highlights Chang’s observation that former CEO Pat Gelsinger’s decision to prioritize a push into foundry services while overlooking opportunities in AI was a strategic misstep. Now, with Intel struggling to develop new strategies and currently without a new CEO, the company is in a precarious situation, as the report notes.

When asked if Intel had sought his advice recently, the report mentions that Chang responded, “They haven’t come to ask me, and I don’t want them to.”

On Samsung: Technical Challenges, Not Administrative Issues

As for Samsung, Chang pointed out technical issues within the company, as noted in the report from Economic Daily News, may be the imminent problem for the company. Additionally, he highlighted how South Korea’s unstable conditions are unfavorable to the company’s operations.

Morris Chang: Partnering with Samsung Might Not Be Ideal

Besides commenting on the current situation of Samsung, Chang also reflects on past experiences with the company. A report from CommonWealth Magazine recounts a story from Chang’s autobiography about his interaction with former Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee in 1989.  At the time, Lee told Chang that Taiwan lacked the necessary capital and talent for memory chip development and advised Taiwanese companies to collaborate with Samsung in the memory sector instead of pursuing independent investments.

Reflecting on these experiences, the report from CommonWealth Magazine notes that Chang cited the English proverb, “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t,” suggesting that if TSMC had chosen to partner with Samsung, the outcome might not have been favorable.

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(Photo credit: TSMC)