They do for example a large amount of foundational silicon research that other fabs can license.

Industry analysts like Dr. Ian Curtis are good to keep tabs on this space such as IBMs 2nm wafers https://youtu.be/PpBagorVtC0?si=CB8-2e3KbFgZQqFH .

Or his interview with the IBM research VP of hybrid cloud. https://youtu.be/Dl6oGdLhCvk?si=RZ8KLUAqSRWcFHDJ .

They would also be much better at training ML and doing pattern recognition.

Basically anything that requires a massively parallel computation on undeterminable states that are only clear in hindsight. They’re really important actually and its only an unfortunate side-effect that the same solution breaks all our cryptography.

(of course: the offensive wings of our defence ministries really enjoy that side-effect)

This seems very different, more of a leap forward but in a different direction.

Note: Start moving to quantum-resistant algorithms now.

5 nanometer was something they worked on, but it was TMCS the one who actually made it happen.

Perhaps this is a good chance to put to work some of that research using AMD Manufacturing.

Let’s see how it goes.

Non-cynic take: exploration-based endeavors still may end up in useful developments.