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Why is the world investing so much in semiconductors?

Worries over shortages have prompted government efforts worldwide to boost computer chip production.

They are making flexible chips - they actually bend - at their plant in Durham, which can be used in wearable technology, clothing authentication, and even in parcel labels to track and trace items. "We see that 80% of of global production is currently in Asia, the reliance on Asian countries means we really need to strengthen our resilience here in the EU," notes Hendrik Abma, director general of the European Semiconductor Industry Association. Following the US Chips Act, almost 500 companies applied to the US government for funding for projects, according to Hannah Dohmen, research analyst at Georgetown's Centre for Security and Emerging Technology in Washington.

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