Intel's Pat Gelsinger Seeks to Revive Moore's Law with $150M Government Boost

Pat Gelsinger, a former Intel executive, has been working with a semiconductor startup called xLight, which has recently announced a preliminary deal with the U.S. Commerce Department for up to $150 million in funding. The deal, which is expected to make the government a significant shareholder, has sparked concerns about the Trump administration's increasing involvement in strategically important companies. California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his unease about the trend, stating, "What the hell happened to free enterprise?" at a recent speaking event. Gelsinger, who spent 35 years at Intel before being pushed out of the company last year, has been working with xLight as a general partner at venture firm Playground Global. The startup has been making significant progress in the semiconductor industry, and Gelsinger has been instrumental in its development. "We're excited about the potential of xLight to revolutionize the semiconductor industry," Gelsinger said in a statement. "Their innovative approach to chip design and manufacturing has the potential to make a significant impact on the industry." The xLight deal is part of a larger trend of the Trump administration taking equity stakes in strategically important companies. This trend has raised concerns among industry leaders and policymakers about the role of government in the private sector. "The government's increasing involvement in the private sector is a concern for many of us," said a spokesperson for the Semiconductor Industry Association. "We need to ensure that the government's involvement is transparent and does not compromise the integrity of the industry." The semiconductor industry has long been a key driver of innovation and economic growth. However, the industry has been facing significant challenges in recent years, including declining profits and increasing competition from foreign companies. The xLight deal is seen as a potential solution to these challenges, as the startup's innovative approach to chip design and manufacturing could help to revitalize the industry. The deal is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, and xLight plans to use the funding to expand its operations and develop new products. The company's CEO, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that the funding will be used to "accelerate our development of new chip designs and manufacturing technologies." The company's products are expected to be used in a variety of applications, including artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and 5G networks. The xLight deal is just one example of the increasing involvement of the government in the private sector. The Trump administration has been taking equity stakes in a number of strategically important companies, including a $1.5 billion investment in the electric car company, Tesla. The administration's involvement in the private sector has raised concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest and the impact on the economy. In conclusion, the xLight deal is a significant development in the semiconductor industry, and it has raised concerns about the role of government in the private sector. The deal is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, and xLight plans to use the funding to expand its operations and develop new products. The company's innovative approach to chip design and manufacturing could help to revitalize the industry, but the increasing involvement of the government in the private sector remains a concern for many industry leaders and policymakers.