Atomic Semi - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 23, 2023, 07:26:57 am
content: Sam Zeloof (of teenage garage fab fame) just scored himself $15M in funding from OpenAI for a new semiconductor company Atomic Semi with industry legend Jim Keller.I knew that kid would go places. Be interesting to see how it pans out.They have jobs going:https://atomicsemi.com/careers/https://pitchbook.com/newsletter/openai-to-back-keller-and-zeloofs-atomic-semi-at-100m-valuationHe was on The Amp Hour way back:https://theamphour.com/390-an-interview-with-sam-zeloof/

author: TomKatt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2023, 01:38:14 pm
content: Always good to see the smart younger generation do wellI wonder if AI will be involved in designing the silicon? For sure don't let Microsoft's AI design anything !!!Quote

author: bsfeechannel
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2023, 08:44:08 pm
content: I read the title and the image of a nuclear powered truck came to my mind.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2023, 10:12:44 pm
content: This looks like some serious work, building fab equipment?Quote

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2023, 11:31:34 pm
content: Assuming they're not offering remote work, is $100k starting a reasonable salary in the SF/Bay Area these days?

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2023, 12:52:27 am
content: Quote from: bsfeechannel on February 23, 2023, 08:44:08 pmYeah, the sort of thing which would appear as an "artist's impression" on the front cover of a 1950s "Popular Mechanics"!

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 24, 2023, 01:03:10 am
content: Quote from: tom66 on February 23, 2023, 11:31:34 pmFor that income in SF I believe you'd have to bring your own sleeping bag to the office.

author: themadhippy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2023, 01:14:28 am
content: Quoteso its nothing to do with watching blondie videos in your teens

author: xrunner
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2023, 01:17:26 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on February 23, 2023, 07:26:57 amI would presume that you can use ChatGPT to write your resume?

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2023, 02:12:46 am
content: I bet we'll soon see "Certified ChatGPT operator" on people's resumes. They will be skilled in interacting with ChatGPT to get it generate required information.

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2023, 02:34:13 am
content: A number of companies have shut down some of their older, larger processes and discontinued the relevant products because it uses up more silicon than newer, smaller processes. Presumably their fab equipment will be scrapped or surplused out. If you wanted to start a low-volume premium-priced custom fab, I think the first step would be to go find that old equipment and see if you can quickly modify it to meet your needs. The real value I can see in this business model is being able to make low-volume chips, ASICs or whatever, with a lower initial investment. Sort of a like the low-cost PCB makers, only for chips! And you'd create that value by making it possible to go from design to production as easily as possible, which seems to me to be mostly a software thing. Hiring a "full-stack engineer" to develop fab tech from scratch seems to be starting out on a very long and uncertain road. I'm amazed and amused that they were able to fund this thing without apparently having a team in place.

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2023, 02:50:25 am
content: Quote from: tom66 on February 23, 2023, 11:31:34 pmOnly if there are significant stock options.

author: TomKatt
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2023, 12:54:21 pm
content: Quote from: bsfeechannel on February 23, 2023, 08:44:08 pmI did as well