美國半導體巨擘英特爾（Intel）近期迎來多事之秋，但也成為首家公開祝賀拜登當選的科技龍頭，首席執行官Bob Swan在這封公開信中提了許多願景，尤其希望美國半導體公司可以博取政府更多關愛眼神，但意在言外的重點，恐怕還是針對即將赴美設廠的台積電。
就在兩週之前，台積電董事會拍板定案，核准於美國亞利桑那州設立100%持股子公司，實收資本額35億美元，折合新台幣近1,000億元，該廠將依原訂計畫於2021年動工，2024年量產。（延伸閱讀：華爾街日報：眾多同業夾攻，半導體巨人英特爾地位恐搖搖欲墜！）
英特爾官網昨日刊登Bob Swan寫給美國「當選總統」拜登的公開信，敦促政府應該擴大投資國內半導體產業。
「我認為，英特爾以後會大力阻止台積電赴美拿補助設廠。」知名半導體分析師陸行之今（24）日指出，英特爾CEO這封公開信共有幾項重點。
首先，這是第一位美國科技巨頭公開恭喜拜登當選，同時他將2020年與1968年相提並論，特別點出國家分裂、種族及經濟競爭等問題，並且建議美國政府大力投資AI、HPC、雲端及邊緣運算、寬頻網路，藉此對抗病毒的威脅。（延伸閱讀：面對全球政經局勢鉅變 童子賢指點明路）
Swan談到，美國僅佔全球半導體產能的12％，其餘80％以上發生都在亞洲；面對成本上升及外國政府補貼，對於在國內大量投資的美國半導體企業而言，都是非常不利的因素。
Swan進一步說，一項國家製造戰略，包括美國政府對國內半導體產業的投資，對於確保美企在公平的環境中競爭並且引領下一代創新技術至關重要。
陸行之為此解讀，這顯然是公開要求政府補助英特爾未來在美國的投資，而非補助台積電赴美設廠。
此外，Bob Swan也建議投資智慧基礎建設，並且支持適當的移民政策、種族平等，以及提升人力品質。（延伸閱讀：當全球保護主義與疫情來襲 吳田玉點出台灣致勝之道）
Bob Swan公開信原文如下：
Bob Swan: Open Letter to President-elect Biden
The Honorable Joseph R. Biden Jr.
President-elect of the United StatesDear Mr. President-elect,
Congratulations on your election as our 46th president. I also want to congratulate Vice President-elect Kamala Harris for her historic achievement and recognize the role your administration will play in inspiring our next generation of leaders.
2020 has been a particularly disruptive year for the American people. And we know you are focused on uniting our nation to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19, racial strife, a growing skills gap and increasing global competition
In 1968, America was in a similar place. We were a nation divided over the Vietnam War, divided by race, undergoing a recession and experiencing mass protests shaping the political landscape. In this environment of change and upheaval, Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore came together and founded Intel, starting a silicon revolution that gave rise to many future technologies. Today, Intel is the only U.S.-based manufacturer of leading-edge semiconductors, with more than 50,000 employees across the country and innovation hubs in Oregon, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico and California. We again stand at the ready to support the next generation of technological advancements.
As the leader of a company driven by our purpose to create world-changing technologies that enrich the lives of every person on Earth, I am grateful for your recognition of the role technology plays in solving our nation’s largest societal challenges. As you begin to further develop your policy agenda, I urge you to focus on the following areas:
Investing in Technology to Solve the Challenges Posed by COVID
Artificial intelligence, high performance computing and edge-to-cloud computing are critical components in government collection and analysis of data, diagnostics, treatment and vaccine development. Intel technology has helped accelerate access to quality data to deliver remote care and protect medical professionals from exposure to infection. As you know, this pandemic has widely affected education, work and other aspects of our daily lives. It is crucial to expand investments in broadband connectivity, particularly to lessen the impact of COVID on the underserved and in communities of color.
Increasing U.S. Manufacturing
Your planned investment in American-made goods is critical to U.S. innovation and technology leadership. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, the U.S. accounts for just 12% of global semiconductor production capacity, with more than 80% taking place in Asia. Rising costs and foreign government subsidies to national champions are a significant disadvantage for U.S. semiconductor companies that make substantial capital investments domestically. A national manufacturing strategy, including investment by the U.S. government in the domestic semiconductor industry, is critical to ensure American companies compete on a level playing field and lead the next generation of innovative technology.
Investing in Digital Infrastructure
Smart infrastructure spending will help address pressing economic and climate change needs. This will include technology designed to make cities and energy systems smarter and more efficient. Widespread deployment of advanced 5G telecommunications networks will fuel efficiencies for businesses in all industries and enable more U.S. innovation. Upgrades to our infrastructure must not only handle the technology of today but spur domestic development of the technologies of tomorrow.
Developing a 21st Century Workforce
In the U.S., Intel hired more than 4,000 people this year, and it still has 800 positions to fill. We produce the most complex technology on the planet and need access to the best talent available. We are designing STEM curricula to help feed the workforce pipeline and make next-generation training and skills more accessible. This year, we partnered with Maricopa County Community College District in Arizona to launch the first Intel-designed artificial intelligence associate degree program in the United States.
While we work to build a greater pipeline of U.S. high-tech workers, American universities and companies provide opportunities to smart, hard-working people from all over the world. They return the favor many times over with their contributions to this country and our technology leadership. The U.S. has welcomed global talent for decades and should continue to support immigration programs needed by Intel and other high-tech companies to operate in the U.S.
At Intel, we believe the current and future workforces need to reflect the makeup of this nation. We also share your commitment to make racial equity a top priority. We set ambitious goals for Intel’s next decade. We aim to double the number of women and underrepresented minorities in senior leadership at Intel, and to collaborate within our industry to create and implement a Global Inclusion Index to track industry progress in areas such as greater levels of women and minorities in senior and technical positions, accessible technology and equal pay.
Intel has enjoyed working closely with presidential administrations over the past 52 years on policies that help the United States lead the world in technological innovation. I look forward to working together in a shared mission to tackle the many challenges facing our nation today as we prepare for an equitable and prosperous future.
Sincerely,
Bob Swan
CEO, Intel Corporation
責任編輯／周岐原
◎加入《下班經濟學》粉絲團，給你更多財經資訊
◎訂閱《下班經濟學》YouTube頻道，精彩節目不錯過
