AMD's CEO Wants to Chip Away at Nvidia's Lead | The Circuit with Emily Chang

Summary

In this insightful conversation, Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, shares her journey from transforming a struggling company to leading AMD to new heights in the tech industry. She discusses the importance of innovation, leadership, and her passion for empowering the next generation of engineers, particularly women in technology. Su highlights the evolving role of AI in both semiconductor development and other industries like Formula 1, while emphasizing the value of creativity, collaboration, and learning from every challenge. Her leadership philosophy encourages tackling problems head-on and fostering a culture of growth and opportunity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lisa Su transformed AMD from a struggling company to a leader in the semiconductor industry by focusing on innovation and strategic leadership.
• 😀 AMD's success under Lisa Su is largely driven by the breakthrough Zen architecture, which enabled the company to outperform Intel in certain areas.
• 😀 AI is seen as the most transformative technology of the current era, and AMD is heavily invested in creating high-performance AI chips, such as the MI300.
• 😀 Lisa Su compares the semiconductor industry to a race, where failure to innovate quickly can lead to losing market relevance.
• 😀 While Nvidia currently leads in the AI space, AMD is positioned as a strong alternative with a focus on competitive chip development.
• 😀 Lisa Su’s leadership philosophy includes getting deeply involved with engineering teams to ensure that technology development stays aligned with customer needs.
• 😀 The importance of resilience is emphasized throughout the interview, with Lisa advocating for taking risks and learning from mistakes.
• 😀 In the world of Formula 1 racing, Lisa sees a parallel to the semiconductor industry, where innovation, data, and engineering excellence are critical to success.
• 😀 Lisa Su advocates for more women in technology and encourages them to take on challenges and speak up in meetings to distinguish themselves.
• 😀 Lisa’s personal motto is to ‘run towards problems,’ focusing on solving difficult challenges to stand out and learn in the process.

Q & A

What is Lisa Su's approach to managing AMD's rapid changes and competition in the chip industry?

Lisa Su describes the chip industry as a 'fantastic race,' where the technology is constantly evolving. She compares each phase of AMD's journey to a different movie, emphasizing that the challenge is ever-changing. Her focus is on staying ahead by learning continuously and adapting to new technologies, while maintaining a no-nonsense approach to leadership.

How did Lisa Su transition AMD from a failing company to a formidable force in the tech industry?

When Lisa Su became CEO of AMD, the company was struggling with its stock trading at $2 per share. She saw an opportunity to turn things around by focusing on innovation, particularly through the launch of the Zen architecture, which revitalized AMD's product portfolio and gave it a competitive edge, especially against rivals like Intel.

What is the significance of the Zen architecture in AMD's success?

The Zen architecture was a pivotal moment for AMD. It represented a complete redesign of AMD’s central processing units (CPUs) and allowed the company to regain market share from Intel. The architecture’s success played a crucial role in AMD's resurgence in both the gaming and data center markets.

What role does AI play in the chip industry and AMD’s strategy moving forward?

AI is described as the most transformational technology Lisa Su has seen in her career. The AI revolution is driving rapid innovation, and AMD is focusing on developing specialized chips, like their MI300 AI processors, to compete with Nvidia. Su sees AI as a key element in AMD's future growth and is working to position the company as a leading player in this space.

How does Lisa Su balance her leadership responsibilities with maintaining personal learning and growth?

Lisa Su emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, especially in technology. She spends a lot of time working closely with engineers to understand new developments, and she enjoys being hands-on with the technology. She also makes late-night visits to the lab to either review new developments or support her team during challenging times.

What is the significance of Formula 1 in Lisa Su's approach to leadership and innovation?

Lisa Su finds parallels between Formula 1 and the tech industry, particularly in terms of speed, precision, and innovation. AMD’s partnership with the Mercedes F1 team is an example of how technology from the chip industry is applied to optimize performance in high-stakes environments. Su values the engineering, problem-solving, and constant learning required in both fields.

How does Lisa Su view the competition with Nvidia, especially in the AI sector?

While Lisa Su acknowledges Nvidia’s dominance in the AI space, she remains focused on AMD’s strengths. She doesn’t see being the underdog as a negative, noting that AMD has historically punched above its weight in terms of technology and impact. AMD is positioning itself as a strong competitor to Nvidia in the AI chip market.

What challenges does AMD face in competing with larger companies like Nvidia and Intel?

AMD faces significant challenges in competing with giants like Nvidia and Intel, particularly in terms of resources and scale. However, Lisa Su believes AMD has always excelled in innovation and efficiency, enabling it to compete effectively despite being smaller. The company's ability to pivot quickly and develop cutting-edge technologies is key to its continued success.

How has the geopolitical situation, particularly regarding Taiwan, affected the semiconductor industry?

The semiconductor industry is highly concentrated in Taiwan, and the geopolitical tensions between Taiwan and China create concerns about supply chain resilience. Lisa Su acknowledges the importance of ensuring supply chain stability, and the potential risks to global semiconductor production. She also recognizes that the US must strengthen its domestic chip manufacturing capabilities.

What advice does Lisa Su have for young women pursuing a career in technology?

Lisa Su advises young women to have confidence in themselves, take risks, and speak up in meetings. She encourages them to seek out challenging problems to solve and volunteer for tasks that will allow them to grow. Su highlights the importance of resilience, learning from mistakes, and finding mentors to support career development.