Event Summary

For our March monthly online book discussion, Austin Forum board member and AMD Senior Fellow, Mike Ignatowski, will lead us in a conversation about the book “Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology.” In this historical account that reads like a thriller, Chris Miller brings context to the current state of microchip technology and semiconductors and how that plays a role in geopolitics, national security, and the global economy. He takes readers on a journey that starts with the birth of Silicon Valley and ends with a competitive US-China relationship reminiscent of US foreign relationships during the Cold War. Join us as we discuss Miller’s work; the complexity of the situation; the implications these complexities could have on the global status quo; and what the future looks like in a world where resources are scarce, the supply chain is unstable, and stakes are high.

Moderator

Mike Ignatowski, Senior Fellow, AMD

Michael Ignatowski is a Senior Fellow at AMD Research in Austin, where he leads the research work in advanced memory architecture for high performance computers. Mike was involved in AMD’s role in winning the bid for the Frontier Exascale system to be installed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory next year. Before joining AMD 10 years ago, Mike worked at IBM in upstate New York for 27 years in advanced development and research. Mike has a master’s degree in computer engineering from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in physics from Michigan State University.

Outside of work, Mike serves on the board for Common Ground for Texans (CG4TX.org), a local group dedicated to promoting civil discourse among diverse communities and seeking common ground solutions toward a healthy democracy. He also serves on the board of 350-Austin, a local chapter of the international 350.org organization dedicated to reducing the threat of climate change. Mike is also the former president of the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society.