Morris Chang, founder of TSMC, shared candid opinions about leading figures and companies in the tech industry during the launch of his autobiography. The event, attended by former Taiwan President Ing-Wen Tsai and industry luminaries like Barry Lam, offered a rare glimpse into Chang's perspectives on Intel, Samsung, and Nvidia's Jensen Huang.
Intel: A Company at a Crossroads
Chang described Intel as grappling with a lack of clear strategic direction, which he sees as its critical weakness. He criticized the company's failure to develop a forward-looking strategy in recent years and its ongoing challenges in finding a new CEO.
"Pat Gelsinger's tenure didn't bring the expected transformation," Chang remarked, noting that Intel's board lacks consensus on its future direction. He expressed uncertainty about whether the company has an undisclosed internal strategy but emphasized that without clarity, Intel faces significant hurdles. Chang also highlighted Intel's misstep in prioritizing foundry services over artificial intelligence (AI), a decision he believes has set the company back in the competitive tech landscape.
Meanwhile, it's worth noting that Chang also mentioned Chris Miller, author of Chip War, and Craig Barrett, Intel's fourth CEO. Chang expressed his admiration for Barrett, stating that he holds him in high regard. However, he revealed that Barrett declined an invitation to join TSMC's board as an independent director.
In his autobiography, Morris Chang shares more details about this event. He wrote that in 2009, TSMC planned to add an independent director to its board. At the end of 2008, Chang coincidentally met Intel's then-CEO Paul Otellini and asked if he could recommend someone suitable for the position.
At the time, TSMC and Intel had a friendly relationship as industry peers, and Intel was a TSMC customer. Otellini suggested Craig Barrett, who was nearing retirement as Intel's chairman. When Chang called Barrett, he initially expressed interest but noted that any decision would have to wait until his official retirement.
However, a few days later, Chang received an email from Barrett explaining his decision to decline the offer. Barrett stated that his entire career had been with Intel and that he believed Intel and TSMC would eventually compete directly in the future, making it inappropriate for him to join TSMC's board. Chang described this as the only time in his long tenure at TSMC that an invitation to join the board as an independent director was declined.
Samsung: The Devil You Don't Know
When discussing Samsung, Chang emphasized the company's technical challenges rather than managerial issues. He likened collaborating with Samsung to "the devil we don't know may be worse than the devil we know," referencing his own experiences with Samsung's memory business.
Chang recalled the complex dynamics of ambition and risk during his past dealings with Samsung. He noted that while Korea's domestic policy turbulence complicates Samsung's situation, the core issue remains its technical struggles. "These are not matters of strategy but challenges in technology," he said.
Nvidia's Jensen Huang: A Missed Opportunity?
Chang shared an intriguing anecdote about Jensen Huang, Nvidia's CEO, who was once considered for the position of TSMC CEO in 2013. Chang praised Huang's vision, character, and technical expertise, describing him as a second or third-generation semiconductor leader with a strong background in chip design.
Despite Chang's admiration, Huang declined the offer, citing his existing commitments at Nvidia. Chang noted that even if Huang had expressed interest, his 7.5% stake in Nvidia would have posed a conflict of interest, as TSMC's CEO must remain impartial and avoid holding shares in key customers.
Barry Lam: A Multifaceted Talent
Chang also praised Barry Lam, founder and chairman of Quanta Computer, as a close friend and a man of many interests. Chang highlighted Lam's passion for photography, sharing that a photo taken by Lam featuring Chang and his wife Sophie was chosen as the opening image of his autobiography. "It perfectly captured the emotions of that moment," Chang said.
A Celebration of Chang's Legacy
The event was marked by tributes to Chang's contributions to the semiconductor industry. Former President of Taiwan Ing-Wen Tsai lauded his autobiography, emphasizing its value in understanding the evolution of the global tech supply chain.
