Sure, here’s the translation to American English:
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Tensions between major manufacturers and the British firm Arm are driving a new era of technological independence in chip design
Qualcomm and Samsung, two of the most influential giants in the tech sector, are finalizing their designs for custom cores based on the RISC-V architecture, aiming to reduce their reliance on ARM architecture. This strategy, which has been in the works for years, is gaining momentum amid increasing legal and commercial tensions with the British company, which could represent a turning point in the mobile and laptop processor ecosystem.
RISC-V: The Open Alternative Gaining Ground
The open-source RISC-V architecture has become one of the great promises for the future of semiconductors. Its license-free nature allows companies to design custom chips without the costs or restrictions associated with working with Arm, leading to greater freedom for innovation and control over intellectual property.
Samsung and Qualcomm, aware of this architecture’s potential, have been investing in its development for some time, but recent legal battles and Arm’s lack of flexibility seem to have accelerated the transition.
Samsung Bets on AI and Asian Expansion
Samsung is approaching its RISC-V strategy from multiple fronts. One of its most ambitious plans is the opening of the Advanced Processor Lab (APL) in Silicon Valley, under the banner of the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT), aimed at designing next-generation chips focused on artificial intelligence using this architecture.
The South Korean firm has also been working on adapting its Tizen operating system to RISC-V and has participated in projects presented at international forums such as ISC 2024, where it showcased an AI processor under this ISA. Meanwhile, it has intensified its relations with China, a country that is decisively adopting RISC-V to strengthen its technological independence from the United States and Europe.
Qualcomm Advances with Google and Strengthens Its Commitment
For its part, Qualcomm is making steady progress toward the adoption of RISC-V. Its roadmap includes the launch of RISC-V platforms for wearable devices such as the Pixel Watch, in collaboration with Google and under the Wear OS operating system.
Additionally, since 2019, Qualcomm has been working to integrate RISC-V with Android and is one of the founding members of Quintauris, a consortium focused on promoting this architecture and includes key partners like Bosch, Infineon, and NXP.
Although it is somewhat behind Samsung in terms of deployment, Qualcomm’s strategy is clear: diversify its chip ecosystem and reduce exposure to potential lawsuits or restrictions associated with the use of Arm.
What If Apple Joins In Too?
The big question now is what other giants like Apple would do. Although for now, the Cupertino company maintains its closed ecosystem with chips designed under Arm architecture, a long-term transition to RISC-V wouldn’t be unthinkable. Apple has changed architectures in the past: from PowerPC to Intel and then to its current Arm-based line. Its history shows that if there are sufficient advantages, they do not hesitate to make the leap.
A move of this magnitude by Apple would be a devastating blow to Arm, which is already seeing its main customers threaten to build a technological future without its licenses. With governments, companies, and consortiums betting on technological sovereignty, RISC-V appears poised to become the next major paradigm shift in the semiconductor industry.
Conclusion
The tensions with Arm, high licensing costs, and the desire for greater control are pushing Qualcomm and Samsung to accelerate their transition to RISC-V. This move will not only shape the future of their SoCs in mobile and laptop devices but could also trigger a deeper transformation in the global tech industry. The post-Arm era may be closer than it seems.