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Beyond the Headlines: Why the world's microchip supply is fragile

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James Haines-Young
James Haines-Young

October 07, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Microchips are integral to almost everything we do. They keep planes in the sky and cars on the roads; they are the brains of almost every modern device we use. It is microchips that enable us to walk around with smart watches more powerful than computers that took up whole rooms just a few decades ago.

But what would happen if we suddenly couldn't get hold of new chips? This is a question that worried experts and legislators around the world for a while. And it is no longer a hypothetical thought experiment; it’s now a real issue.

This week on Beyond the Headlines, host James Haines Young delves into why the world could be running out of microchips — and what that means for us all.

A view shows Samsung Electronics' chip production plant at Pyeongtaek, South Korea, in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on September 7, 2022. Samsung Electronics/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY
A view shows Samsung Electronics' chip production plant at Pyeongtaek, South Korea, in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on September 7, 2022. Samsung Electronics/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY
A view shows Samsung Electronics' chip production plant at Pyeongtaek, South Korea, in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on September 7, 2022. Samsung Electronics/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY
A view shows Samsung Electronics' chip production plant at Pyeongtaek, South Korea, in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on September 7, 2022. Samsung Electronics/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY
An ASML staff gives a tour to guests inside their innovation truck at SEMICON Taiwan in Taipei, Taiwan, September 14, 2022. REUTERS/Ann Wang
An ASML staff gives a tour to guests inside their innovation truck at SEMICON Taiwan in Taipei, Taiwan, September 14, 2022. REUTERS/Ann Wang
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) Fab 15B, one of the company's four giga semiconductor fabrication plants, is pictured in Taichung, Taiwan September 2, 2021. Picture taken September 2, 2021. REUTERS/Yimou Lee To match Special Report TAIWAN-CHINA/CHIPS
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) Fab 15B, one of the company's four giga semiconductor fabrication plants, is pictured in Taichung, Taiwan September 2, 2021. Picture taken September 2, 2021. REUTERS/Yimou Lee To match Special Report TAIWAN-CHINA/CHIPS
ICHEON, SOUTH KOREA - AUGUST 25: Workers work at SK HYNIX Inc. plant on August 25, 2015 in Icheon, South Korea. South Korean chip giant SK Hynix Inc. said on August 25, 2015 that it will spend 46 trillion won (US$38.2 billion) to build three new semiconductor production lines over the next 10 years in an effort to bolster its market position and join government efforts to revitalize the economy. (Photo by Kim Min-Hee-Pool/Getty Images)
ICHEON, SOUTH KOREA - AUGUST 25: Workers work at SK HYNIX Inc. plant on August 25, 2015 in Icheon, South Korea. South Korean chip giant SK Hynix Inc. said on August 25, 2015 that it will spend 46 trillion won (US$38.2 billion) to build three new semiconductor production lines over the next 10 years in an effort to bolster its market position and join government efforts to revitalize the economy. (Photo by Kim Min-Hee-Pool/Getty Images)
epa10187815 A computer motherboard of ASUSTek Computer Inc. is on display at a Science park in Hsinchu county, Taiwan, 16 September 2022. Taiwan Semiconductor companies provide more than 60 percent of all orders around the world. EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO
epa10187815 A computer motherboard of ASUSTek Computer Inc. is on display at a Science park in Hsinchu county, Taiwan, 16 September 2022. Taiwan Semiconductor companies provide more than 60 percent of all orders around the world. EPA-EFE/RITCHIE B. TONGO
An employee works at a factory of Renesas Semiconductor Co. during a government organised tour of the facility following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Beijing, China May 14, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
An employee works at a factory of Renesas Semiconductor Co. during a government organised tour of the facility following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Beijing, China May 14, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
HSINCHU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 16: A student wears cleanroom suit conducts a research inside the clean room of Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institution during a press semiconductor tour at Hsinchu Science Park on September 16, 2022 in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities are crucial to global supply chains, with megacap companies like Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm heavily dependent on the island's exports. Taiwan accounts for some 60 percent of global semiconductor foundry revenue, according to media reports. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
HSINCHU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 16: A student wears cleanroom suit conducts a research inside the clean room of Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institution during a press semiconductor tour at Hsinchu Science Park on September 16, 2022 in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities are crucial to global supply chains, with megacap companies like Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm heavily dependent on the island's exports. Taiwan accounts for some 60 percent of global semiconductor foundry revenue, according to media reports. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
Employees change out their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before their lunch break at a factory of Renesas Semiconductor Co. during a government organised tour of the facility following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Beijing, China May 14, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
Employees change out their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before their lunch break at a factory of Renesas Semiconductor Co. during a government organised tour of the facility following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Beijing, China May 14, 2020. REUTERS/Thomas Peter
HSINCHU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 16: A closeup of a silicon wafer on display at Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institution on September 16, 2022 in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities are crucial to global supply chains, with megacap companies like Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm heavily dependent on the island's exports. Taiwan accounts for some 60 percent of global semiconductor foundry revenue, according to media reports. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
HSINCHU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 16: A closeup of a silicon wafer on display at Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institution on September 16, 2022 in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities are crucial to global supply chains, with megacap companies like Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm heavily dependent on the island's exports. Taiwan accounts for some 60 percent of global semiconductor foundry revenue, according to media reports. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
HSINCHU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 16: A closeup of a circuit board on display at Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institution on September 16, 2022 in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities are crucial to global supply chains, with megacap companies like Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm heavily dependent on the island's exports. Taiwan accounts for some 60 percent of global semiconductor foundry revenue, according to media reports. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
HSINCHU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 16: A closeup of a circuit board on display at Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institution on September 16, 2022 in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities are crucial to global supply chains, with megacap companies like Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm heavily dependent on the island's exports. Taiwan accounts for some 60 percent of global semiconductor foundry revenue, according to media reports. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
HSINCHU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 16: A closeup of a circuit board on display at the Macronix International Co. Ltd on September 16, 2022 in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities are crucial to global supply chains, with megacap companies like Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm heavily dependent on the island's exports. Taiwan accounts for some 60 percent of global semiconductor foundry revenue, according to media reports. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
HSINCHU, TAIWAN - SEPTEMBER 16: A closeup of a circuit board on display at the Macronix International Co. Ltd on September 16, 2022 in Hsinchu, Taiwan. Taiwan's semiconductor manufacturing capabilities are crucial to global supply chains, with megacap companies like Apple, Nvidia and Qualcomm heavily dependent on the island's exports. Taiwan accounts for some 60 percent of global semiconductor foundry revenue, according to media reports. (Photo by Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.

Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
While you're here
While you're here
Company%20profile
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Scotland's team:

15-Sean Maitland, 14-Darcy Graham, 13-Nick Grigg, 12-Sam Johnson, 11-Byron McGuigan, 10-Finn Russell, 9-Ali Price, 8-Magnus Bradbury, 7-Hamish Watson, 6-Sam Skinner, 5-Grant Gilchrist, 4-Ben Toolis, 3-Willem Nel, 2-Stuart McInally (captain), 1-Allan Dell

Replacements: 16-Fraser Brown, 17-Gordon Reid, 18-Simon Berghan, 19-Jonny Gray, 20-Josh Strauss, 21-Greig Laidlaw, 22-Adam Hastings, 23-Chris Harris

Updated: October 07, 2022, 8:58 AM
Beyond the HeadlinesTechnology

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