In a fascinating revelation from his newly published memoir, Morris Chang, the 93-year-old founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), disclosed that he once approached Jensen Huang, CEO of AI chipmaker Nvidia, to succeed him as TSMC’s chief executive. The offer, made in 2013, was declined by Huang in less than 10 minutes with a simple response: “I already have a job.”
Chang’s memoir, published Friday, details his search for a successor to lead the Taiwanese chip giant during a critical period in the semiconductor industry. According to Chang, Huang’s character, professional background, and deep knowledge of the semiconductor space made him an ideal candidate for the position. Despite spending 10 minutes outlining his ambitious vision for TSMC’s future, Huang remained committed to his role at Nvidia, the company he founded in 1993.
This decision has proven remarkably prescient. Under Huang’s continued leadership, Nvidia has transformed into one of the world’s most valuable companies, riding the wave of the artificial intelligence boom. The company’s graphics processing units (GPUs) have become essential infrastructure for AI development, powering everything from large language models to autonomous vehicles.
The relationship between Chang and Huang extends beyond this singular job offer. The two industry titans have maintained an amiable professional relationship spanning decades. In Nvidia’s early years after its 1993 launch, the company exclusively partnered with TSMC to manufacture its chips. This partnership proved crucial in 1998 when TSMC helped supply Nvidia with production workers during a staffing shortage. Today, while Nvidia works with various chipmakers, it remains one of TSMC’s largest customers, alongside tech giant Apple.
Chang founded TSMC in 1987 and stepped down as CEO in 2018, passing the reins to C.C. Wei, who currently leads the company. According to Forbes, Chang has accumulated a personal wealth of $4.1 billion. His latest memoir, the second volume of his autobiography, chronicles his life from 1964 to 2018, offering unprecedented insights into the semiconductor industry’s evolution and the relationships that shaped it.
Key Quotes
I already have a job
Jensen Huang’s response to Morris Chang’s offer to become TSMC’s CEO in 2013. This simple statement reflected Huang’s unwavering commitment to Nvidia, a decision that would prove extraordinarily valuable as the company became central to the AI revolution.
Huang’s character, professional background, and deep knowledge of the semiconductor space made him an ideal frontrunner for the role
Morris Chang’s assessment of why he considered Jensen Huang as his potential successor at TSMC. This evaluation from one semiconductor industry legend about another highlights the respect and recognition Huang commanded even before Nvidia’s AI-driven ascent.
Our Take
This memoir revelation offers a fascinating “what if” scenario for the AI industry. Had Huang accepted Chang’s offer, the semiconductor landscape might look dramatically different today. Nvidia’s rise as the preeminent AI chip company was driven by Huang’s singular vision and relentless focus on parallel computing and GPU technology. His decision to remain at Nvidia demonstrates the value of founder-led companies in driving technological innovation. The story also illuminates the deep relationships within the semiconductor industry that have enabled the AI boom. TSMC’s manufacturing prowess combined with Nvidia’s chip design excellence created a partnership that has become foundational to AI development worldwide. As AI continues to transform industries, this historical context reminds us that today’s technological revolutions are built on decades of strategic decisions, personal relationships, and unwavering commitment to long-term visions.
Why This Matters
This revelation carries significant weight for understanding the AI industry’s current landscape and the pivotal decisions that shaped it. Huang’s choice to remain at Nvidia rather than lead TSMC has had profound implications for the artificial intelligence revolution. Under his leadership, Nvidia has become the dominant force in AI chip manufacturing, with its GPUs serving as the backbone for training and deploying AI models worldwide.
The story highlights the interconnected nature of the semiconductor ecosystem, where relationships between companies like TSMC and Nvidia have been crucial to enabling the AI boom. TSMC’s role as a manufacturing partner has been essential to Nvidia’s success, demonstrating how collaboration in the chip industry drives technological advancement.
For the broader tech industry, this anecdote underscores the importance of visionary leadership and strategic focus. Huang’s decision to stay committed to Nvidia’s mission has positioned the company at the center of the AI revolution, with market valuations reflecting its critical role. As AI continues to reshape industries globally, understanding the historical relationships and decisions that enabled this transformation becomes increasingly important for investors, policymakers, and technology leaders.
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