https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2025/03/12/the-race-is-on-to-build-the-worlds-most-complex-machine The Economist The Economist Try for free --------------------------------------------------------------------- Enterprise --------------------------------------------------------------------- Log in --------------------------------------------------------------------- Menu The Economist The Economist Skip to content Try for free --------------------------------------------------------------------- Enterprise --------------------------------------------------------------------- Log in --------------------------------------------------------------------- Menu --------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] --------------------------------------------------------------------- [20250123_drp045] The world in brief Catch up on global daily news [20250123_drp050] 1843 magazine Dive into compelling long reads [20250123_drp046] Podcasts Tune into engaging conversations [20250123_drp044] Video Watch engaging short films [20250123_drp048] Digital events Gain insights from experts [20250123_drp047] Newsletters Curated news, direct to your inbox Current topics * War in the Middle East * War in Ukraine * The World Ahead 2025 * Climate change * Geopolitics * The world economy * Artificial intelligence * Trump approval tracker Current topics * War in the Middle East * War in Ukraine * The World Ahead 2025 * Climate change * Geopolitics * The world economy * Artificial intelligence * Trump approval tracker World World * The world this week * China * United States * Europe * Britain * Middle East & Africa * Asia * The Americas * International Business & economics Business & economics * Finance & economics * Business * Big Mac index * Economic & financial indicators Opinion Opinion * Leaders * Letters to the editor * By Invitation In depth In depth * Science & technology * Briefing * Graphic detail * Interactives * The Economist explains * Special reports * Technology Quarterly * Essay * Schools brief Culture & society Culture & society * Culture * The Economist reads * Obituary Weekly edition Weekly edition * This week * Past editions Our A-to-Zs Our A-to-Zs * Economics * American politics * Military terms * International relations * Weekly edition * The world in brief * War in the Middle East * War in Ukraine * United States * The world economy * Business * Artificial intelligence * Archive 1945 * Dateline quiz My Economist --------------------------------------------------------------------- Unlimited digital access to all reporting, podcasts, newsletters and events Try for free --------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBSCRIBER BENEFITS * Podcasts * Newsletters * Video * Live virtual events * The Economist app * Espresso app * Saved stories --------------------------------------------------------------------- * Account * Log out Science & technology | Chipmaking The race is on to build the world's most complex machine But toppling ASML will not be easy Two people dressed in white overall suits in the Cleanroom at ASML Headquarters in Veldhoven, Netherlands.Photograph: ASML Mar 12th 2025 Share Few would expect the future of artificial intelligence (AI) to depend on Eindhoven, a quiet Dutch town. Yet just beyond its borders sits the headquarters of ASML, the only company that makes the machines, known as lithography tools, needed to produce cutting-edge AI chips. ASML's latest creation is a 150-tonne colossus, around the size of two shipping containers and priced at around $350m. It is also the most advanced machine for sale. Explore more Science & technologyComputingTechnology This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline "Chipmaking: the next generation" --------------------------------------------------------------------- Science & technology March 15th 2025 * -The race is on to build the world's most complex machine * -Want even tinier chips? Use a particle accelerator * -Ukraine's embrace of drone warfare has paid off * -Is butter bad for you? [20250315_DE_US] From the March 15th 2025 edition Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents =Explore the edition Share Reuse this content --------------------------------------------------------------------- More from Science & technology An illustration of the profile of a woman with virus shapes around her. This is about the link between Alzheimer's and viruses. Do viruses trigger Alzheimer's? A growing group of scientists think so, and are asking whether antivirals could treat the disease A scale with a big tooth in the middle. The weights are a prwan on one side and toothpaste on the other side. What is the best way to keep your teeth healthy? Tooth-brushing reigns supreme. But fluoride in tap water is a good safety net --------------------------------------------------------------------- A drone operator of 3rd Assault Brigade is seen working at positions near the frontline in the direction of Borova, rural settlement in Izium Raion, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. Ukraine's embrace of drone warfare has paid off Two new reports highlight strengths as well as weaknesses --------------------------------------------------------------------- Want even tinier chips? Use a particle accelerator High-speed electrons can etch nano-scale designs Is butter bad for you? A new study suggests olive oil may be a healthier alternative Two private companies reach the Moon within four days Though Firefly Aerospace has had better luck than Intuitive Machines --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- * * * * * * * Get The Economist app on iOS or Android --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Economist The Economist * About * Reuse our content * Subscribe * Economist Enterprise * SecureDrop The Economist Group The Economist Group * The Economist Group * Economist Intelligence * Economist Impact * Economist Impact Events * Economist Education Courses Contact Contact * Help and support * Advertise * Press centre Careers Careers * Working here * Executive Jobs --------------------------------------------------------------------- To enhance your experience and ensure our website runs smoothly, we use cookies and similar technologies. 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