Compute, Not Data, Is The New Oil: Global Power Shifts to Chip Control
Opinion
C
CNBC TV1818-12-2025, 13:21

Compute, Not Data, Is The New Oil: Global Power Shifts to Chip Control

  • The long-held belief 'data is the new oil' is outdated; compute power, especially GPUs, is now the scarce, strategic resource driving AI progress.
  • Training advanced AI models demands immense compute, driving up costs and making companies like Nvidia and TSMC globally critical, akin to past oil powers.
  • Geopolitical power is shifting, with nations scrambling for chip sovereignty through initiatives like the CHIPS Act, fearing 'compute embargoes' and supply chain disruptions.
  • Limited compute access creates an innovation bottleneck for smaller entities, concentrating power among hyperscalers and risking diversity in technological advancement.
  • Compute is a finite strategic resource requiring national security integration, diversified supply, and sustainable practices to avoid future 'compute shocks' and environmental harm.

Why It Matters: Compute, not data, is the new strategic resource, reshaping global economics, geopolitics, and innovation.

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