Chip Age - by Rakesh Kumar (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Has it occurred to you that the next world war could be fought over computer chips? Or that a single chip could trigger a nuclear crisis, upend a government, or decide the future of clean water, air, and energy? Welcome to The Chip Age -- where tiny bits of silicon are reshaping the destiny of nations and the structure of our planet.

In this deeply researched and compellingly told book, Rakesh Kumar reveals how semiconductors -- the invisible engines of modern life -- are no longer just the backbone of our gadgets, but the frontline of global power, economic might, and environmental strain. From Taiwan's critical role in global chip supply and China's escalating ambitions, to AI's trillion-dollar hunger and datacenters resurrecting nuclear plants, The Chip Age exposes the political, military, and ecological consequences of our chip obsession.

Spanning six decades of innovation, espionage, warfare, and disruption, this is not just a history of technology -- it's a vivid account of how chips quietly came to command the world. The book tackles the triumphs and trade-offs of globalization, the fragility of our supply chains, and the existential risks of trust in tampered hardware. As geopolitical fault lines harden and the world races to build chip sovereignty, one truth becomes clear: whoever controls the chips may control the future.

Clear, accessible, and filled with gripping stories, The Chip Age is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the forces that will shape the next era -- and the hidden circuits powering it.

About the Author

Rakesh Kumar is a Professor and John Bardeen Faculty Scholar in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is a renowned expert on chips who has received multiple awards in recognition of his influence on chip research and the chip industry. Some of the technologies he's developed now power the chips in your phones, tablets, and computers. He has written extensively about chips for a general audience, most recently for Fortune. He has also commented on chip issues for TheNew York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the BBC, and Fortune, among others. He has co-founded two chip companies and serves as an advisor for multiple other chip companies. He has been invited by various governments to provide feedback on their national chip plans.