The short version

Ben Thompson predicted on December 18, 2024: “Rapidus, Japan’s new foundry on the leading edge, doesn’t make economic sense; it is one of many examples in that regard, as the world enters a new age of uncertainty and AI.” Verdict: Called it. Rapidus continued to operate as a heavily state-backed project, fitting Thompson’s characterization that the project 'doesn’t make economic…

Prediction by

Ben Thompson

On December 18, 2024

“Rapidus, Japan’s new foundry on the leading edge, doesn’t make economic sense; it is one of many examples in that regard, as the world enters a new age of uncertainty and AI.”

Follow-up

Rapidus continued to operate as a heavily state-backed project, fitting Thompson’s characterization that the project 'doesn’t make economic sense' in strict commercial terms and is better understood as a strategic/industrial-policy initiative.

From the High Caliber AI network — see the AI for PR module in the course.