LOCALIZING SEMICONDUCTORS

KAUST hosts the 2023 Future of Semiconductors Forum

Following the success of its inaugural event, in May 2023, KAUST hosted the second Future of Semiconductors Forum in partnership with the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA). The annual forum aims to support the localization of the semiconductor industry and build expertise in this emerging sector.

Semiconductors can be found in numerous modern electronic devices, enabling and regulating the flow of electricity through them.

“By localizing the research and production of sensors, e-chips, photovoltaics and a suite of related semiconductor components, the Kingdom is coming to the table prepared to lead in any number of areas, from the energy transition to the digital revolution.”

TONY CHAN President of KAUST

These components, derived primarily from silicon, are aptly named due to their ability to selectively conduct electricity.

Saudi Arabia is actively developing the necessary infrastructure to support the growth of a domestic semiconductor industry. These components are expected to help advance the country’s digital, industrial and energy sectors. The ultimate goal is to position the country as a global leader in semiconductors, and KAUST is one of the Kingdom’s leading research institutions supporting this goal.

KAUST is home to one of the world’s top graduate programs for nanoscience and nanotechnology, both fundamental to semiconductor research. The university recognizes that training and development are key to unlocking the potential of semiconductors and supporting domestic production. KAUST has been working with KACST to develop infrastructure to design and produce domestic semiconductors, in support of the Saudi Semiconductor Program.

During the forum, key players in the industry gathered to discuss the future of the field and Saudi Arabia’s place within it. The event hosted 36 speakers from leading research institutions, universities and companies, as well as Nobel

Laureate Shuji Nakamura. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Investment, HE Khalid Al-Falih, emphasized the significance of semiconductors in everyday electronics and medical devices, and their key role in supporting green transition technologies.

Semiconductors are widely used to power daily activities, and are essential for TVs, smartphones and computers. With the uptake of these technologies increasing, the industry is expected to double in value to more than $1 trillion by 2030. As the world undergoes further rapid digitalization, these chips will be integral.

Beyond their application in consumer electronics, semiconductors are critical in the growth of clean energy technologies like solar photovoltaic cells and enabling smart grids. They also play a pivotal role in improving energy efficiency, reducing energy wastage and optimizing power consumption.

Additionally, semiconductors are seen as key to achieving many of the Kingdom’s major national initiatives, such as the development of new smart cities and special economic zones, in addition to giga-projects, like NEOM. A local semiconductor industry could bring big gains to the national economy. Austria, for example, has seen superior GDP growth compared to other European countries because of its semiconductor industry.

The development of a domestic semiconductor industry could also help reduce Saudi Arabia’s reliance on other countries for the supply of chips. The recent supply chain constraints caused by the pandemic demonstrated the volatility of the semiconductor market, making the development of local and regional supply chains vital to the Kingdom’s national security.