I recently analyzed some fascinating financing trends as the US and China took very different paths in advancing their AI ecosystems (Part 1 of my Substack post [here](<a href="https://eastwind.substack.com/p/mad-china-and-the-semiconductor-showdown" rel="nofollow">https://eastwind.substack.com/p/mad-china-and-the-semiconduc...</a>))<p>In Part 2 of my Substack mini-series, I highlight why access to semiconductors is crucial to maintaining the pace of innovation in AI, and why up until the past several years, access to leading-edge onshore fabrication capabilities has been less of a strategic focus.<p>I contend that geopolitical tensions in Asia and our reliance on the supply of AI accelerators manufactured in Taiwan creates a dangerous reflexive loop, and how that affects the ability for companies in the space (like OpenAI) to continually innovate. I also explore some interesting areas of opportunity that entrepreneurs may look to exploit.<p>Would love thoughts & comments!