Scientists Meet Scientists – TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talk by Prof. Hussam Amrouch on “Silicon Diplomacy: Chips, Power, and the Politics of AI Compute”
Events, WCT |
On 08 July 2026, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hussam Amrouch (Chair of AI Processor Design (AI-Pro), TUM) will talk about “Silicon Diplomacy: Chips, Power, and the Politics of AI Compute”.
Abstract: AI is rapidly becoming embedded in every layer of modern life — from industry, mobility, healthcare, and education to public services and national security. As AI systems grow more powerful, the ability to design and control the underlying compute infrastructure is no longer only a technological question; it has become a matter of sovereignty, resilience, and strategic independence. This talk discusses the emerging geopolitics of compute and the central role of advanced AI chips in shaping economic power and technological leadership. It highlights why Europe needs to move beyond dependence on external cloud infrastructure and strengthen its own capabilities in advanced semiconductor technologies, edge AI, and privacy-preserving compute. Reducing reliance on remote cloud systems is essential not only for efficiency and latency, but also for protecting sensitive data, reducing vulnerabilities, and enabling trustworthy AI at the edge. The talk will also present the vision behind MACHT-AI, the Munich Advanced-Technology Center for High-Tech AI Chips, and its role in training the next generation of chip designers. As a concrete milestone, MACHT-AI has demonstrated, the first 7-nm AI chip from a university in the EU — showing that TUM can lead when advanced technology, talent, and strategic ambition come together.
Related TUM Press Release: First university-designed 7-nanometer AI chip - TUM
Date: July 08, 2026
Time: 13:00 CEST (until approx. 14:00)
Location: online
Registration: The TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee talks are held online via Microsoft Teams. To register and to receive the Teams link, please send an email to events@ias.tum.de.
THE TUM-IAS WEDNESDAY COFFEE TALKS
Every Wednesday after lunch, it's all about a new topic - current research highlights at TUM, insights into the work of our Fellows from all over the world, sometimes even topics not usually found at TUM, such as history or theology.
The talks held online start every Wednesday during TUM lecture time at 13:00 CE(S)T. Everyone is welcome - TUM researchers of all levels, students, visiting scholars, and anyone interested!
Would you like to receive regular updates on the TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talk and the online link? Just send a short note to events@ias.tum.de.
An overview of upcoming and past TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talks can be found at the TUM-IAS Wednesday Coffee Talk Overview.