With the advent of technology, semiconductor chips have spread from automobiles, computers, and smartphones to various other consumer goods. Currently, their demand is outstripping supply. The semiconductor chip industry has experienced supply chain disruption earlier too. However, the ongoing COVID-19 induced crisis is much deeper, particularly in the Americas. The US has therefore come up with the ‘Chips and Science Act’ as a measure for supply chain resilience. This has led to a 35% spike in Twitter discussions around ‘semiconductor’ in the last two months, over the previous two months, reveals the Social Media Analytics Platform of GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

The recent spike in influencer conversation was witnessed in August when President Joe Biden signed the $280 billion landmark ‘Chips and Science Act’, which includes $52 billion of grants or subsidies for domestic semiconductor manufacturing.

Smitarani Tripathy, Social Media Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Twitter influencer sentiment was mostly positive on the enactment of the Act as they opine this will not only address the vulnerability of the semiconductor supply chain and tech leadership but also support other factors in economic development, such as job creation.”

GlobalData’s Social Media Analytics Platform captured a few popular influencer opinions on semiconductor:

1. Daniel Newman, CEO Broadsuite BMG, said the CHIPS Act is important not only for supply chain resilience and tech leadership but also for the national security.

“Very happy to see the #CHIPSAct moving forward. It’s very important for 1. National Security 2. Tech leadership 3. Supply Chain Resilience #semiconductor”

2. Robbins Chuck, CEO Cisco, stated that CHIPS ACT will bolster competitiveness and also enhance OPEN RAN 5G efforts.

“The #CHIPSAct will help re-establish the US as a semiconductor manufacturing leader, promote supply chain resiliency, bolster competitiveness, & enhance Open RAN 5G efforts. Cisco applauds @POTUS’ signing of the bill & the bipartisan work in Congress that made passage possible.”

3. Jim Farley, CEO Ford Motor Company, opined the new act will strengthen the supply chain for chips needed in auto and defence.

“Thank you to the leaders who made the #CHIPSAct a reality to strengthen American supply chains, especially for legacy chips needed in auto & defense. This bipartisan law will help @Ford and the U.S. innovate, create jobs, build EVs customers love & compete on the global stage.

4. Rishi Iyengar, Tech Writer at CNN Business, said the interdependent supply chain with US may not be easy without China and Taiwan.

“By signing the CHIPS and Science Act today, the Biden administration took a big step towards shoring up US semiconductor manufacturing. But decoupling from China, Taiwan and one of the most global, interdependent supply chains won’t be easy.”

5. Shirley Ze Yu, Political Economist, mentioned that semiconductor subsidy is not good for domestic manufacturers.

“The “poison pill” attached to the $52 Billion US #Chip and Science Act mandates that all semiconductor manufacturers who receive federal subsidies are banned from operating advanced chip manufacturing in #China for 10 years.”

6. Keith J. Krach, Chairman and Co-Founder, Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy, stated that the CHIPS ACT will support jobs across the semiconductor supply chain.

“Big day for America.The #CHIPSandScienceAct will create thousands of US jobs across the entire semiconductor supply chain, spur tech training throughout the ecosystem, and go a long way to ensure US leadership in this critical industry. Congrats @SenToddYoung and team.”