The Future Of AI Investing: How Semiconductors Are Shaping The Game
When looking for new opportunities to grow your wealth, one of the most exciting sectors right now is artificial intelligence (AI). But for AI to reach its full potential, it needs the right infrastructure, and that's where semiconductors come in. The traditional silicon-based chips that power everything from smartphones to data centers are starting to show their age. As the demand for more computing power—especially from AI—grows, we're seeing limitations in energy efficiency, heat generation, and scalability.
Creating a unique opportunity for investors to tap into a new wave of innovation in the semiconductor industry, where startups are developing groundbreaking technologies that could change the way we think about computing—and, ultimately, how we invest. Whether you're looking to diversify your portfolio or want to stay ahead of the curve, understanding the changes happening in this sector could significantly benefit your financial strategy.
Three startups—Biological Blackbox (BBB), Nanotronics, and Positron—are challenging the status quo with alternative approaches that could reshape the way we power an AI in the future. Although these companies aren't yet publicly traded, their innovations hint at transformative changes that may impact industries, economies, and investment strategies for decades to come.
Biological Blackbox (BBB) is exploring a radical approach that integrates living neurons into AI hardware. Its Bionode platform places lab-grown neurons, derived from either human stem cells or rat tissue, onto a microelectrode array with thousands of contact points. These neurons can rewire themselves in response to real-time inputs, offering the potential to process vision tasks and accelerate large language models with far greater energy efficiency than conventional chips.
If successful, the Bionode concept could significantly reduce the energy footprint of AI workloads while introducing a level of dynamic adaptability rarely seen in traditional semiconductor design.
If BBB is rethinking what chips are made of, Nanotronics is reimagining how they're manufactured. Traditional semiconductor manufacturing often involves massive facilities, lengthy supply chains, and multi-billion-dollar investments. Nanotronics turns that on its head with Cubefabs—modular, AI-powered microchip production facilities poised to redefine the industry. By reducing the footprint and cost of chip fabrication, the startup empowers smaller organizations—whether universities, research labs, or local tech ventures—to participate in building next-generation hardware.
This shift aligns with a broader movement toward decentralized manufacturing. Rather than depending on centralized mega-fabs, Nanotronics' model promises to lower barriers for innovation and speed up hardware development cycles. As the industry deals with global supply chain disruptions and escalating demand for specialized AI chips, the company's streamlined production systems could become a critical link in the semiconductor value chain.
Positron, based in Reno and founded in 2023, is focused on specialized processors designed explicitly for AI inference—the stage where trained models run real-world tasks. Using Intel's Altera FPGAs, Positron's flagship product, the Atlas system, offers performance aimed at surpassing leading GPUs on both speed and power efficiency. Early reports indicate the system may achieve significantly faster throughput than Nvidia's latest GPUs, along with better performance per dollar and lower power consumption.
Unlike GPUs, which are designed for a variety of workloads, the Atlas system narrows its scope to AI inference, thereby avoiding many inefficiencies of more general-purpose hardware. This specialization is intended to meet the needs of data centers facing rising energy costs, while also fitting neatly into U.S.-based manufacturing and supply chains—an area poised for growth, thanks to incentives like the CHIPS Act. Looking ahead, Positron plans to develop a custom ASIC by 2026 with high memory capacity to maintain an edge in a market that demands ever-increasing efficiency.
Silicon's dominance is running up against physical limits at the same time that AI's hunger for compute power continues to expand. Organizations like the International Energy Agency have noted data center electricity usage could double within a few years, with AI being a central driver. BBB, Nanotronics, and Positron each address a different piece of the solution—bio-based design, agile manufacturing, and specialized performance—offering a glimpse into what the future of hardware might look like.
While investors can't purchase shares of these private companies yet, the ripple effects of their progress may be felt across multiple sectors, from commodities linked to advanced materials to funds focused on sustainable technology. Acquisitions or partnerships with industry leaders could also shape market dynamics, making it valuable to watch how these startups evolve.
For anyone looking to build a forward-thinking investment strategy, keeping track of emerging technologies like these can offer a competitive edge. Whether it's through direct investments in these companies, or related sectors, these new approaches to semiconductor design and manufacturing could be the key to staying ahead in an increasingly tech-driven world.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
8 Ways Trump's ‘One Big Beautiful Bill' Could Offer Tax Relief
As Congress inches closer to voting on President Donald Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' (BBB), which includes a sweeping tax code overhaul, taxpayers are wondering if it will mean more money in their pockets or more confusion. According to Miklos Ringbauer, CPA and founder of Miklos CPA based in Southern California, the answer depends on your income and how prepared you are to adapt. Be Aware: Read Next: 'This will be one of those major overhauls of the tax code,' Ringbauer said. Some provisions aim to permanently extend benefits from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TJCA), while others could sunset or add some complexity. Even if the current iteration of the bill does not pass its final stage in the House of Representatives, it's likely that any future iteration will uphold the tax provisions currently in it, Ringbauer believes. Ringbauer broke down key provisions in the bill that could offer relief. One of the key elements in the taxes portion of the BBB is that it would make permanent the tax cut rates that were passed by the TJCA in 2017, which, according to the IRS, are currently: 37% for single incomes over $626,350 and $751,600 for married couples filing jointly 35% for single incomes over $250,525 and $501,050 for married couples filing jointly 32% for single incomes over $197,300 and $394,600 for married couples filing jointly 24% for single incomes over $103,350 and $206,700 for married couples filing jointly 22% for single incomes over $48,475 and $96,950 for married couples filing jointly 12% for single incomes over $11,925 and $23,850 for married couples filing jointly 10.1% for single incomes of $11,925 or less and $23,850 or less for married couples filing jointly Maintaining these tax cuts is good news for all income levels, with one exception, it benefits the highest-earning Americans the most and offers no new relief for those in the lowest tax brackets. Find Out: The bill offers some boosts to the child tax credit and expands the use of 529 education savings plans. 'That's a fantastic benefit for people who have kids,' Ringbauer said. He also noted that the ability to use 529 plans for elementary, secondary and homeschool expenses makes them 'very valuable … as long as the parents have the means.' Perhaps one of the most widely talked about components of the tax portion of the bill is its proposal to eliminate taxes on tips and overtime income. While that might sound like a win, Ringbauer cautioned it could lead to complications. 'Differentiating between people who receive tips and people who are making the same amount of money [without tips] … puts certain groups in a disadvantaged position.' Still, for those who qualify, it could mean a big difference in income. Trump's recent tariff wars have allegedly been a push to get Americans to buy more U.S.-made products, including cars (and for companies to manufacture more products in the U.S.). Thus, the bill also introduces an incentive to buy domestic vehicles by allowing interest deductions on loans for U.S.-manufactured cars. 'Your personal choice of what car you end up buying may end up impacting you [based on] you having the deduction,' Ringbauer said. However, it also creates logistical and compliance hurdles. 'It will be very interesting who is going to make determination, and how is it going to be determined that it's a deductible item or not.' He laughed at how confusing it could be if accountants are ultimately the ones to decide. Student loan borrowers haven't had much relief since Biden-era policy attempts at forgiveness were blocked in court, and the Trump administration hasn't signaled offering any. However, there is a promising provision for those with student loans in the BBB — it extends employer-paid student loan assistance as a tax-free benefit. Ringbauer said, 'A lot of companies are looking to do that and give extra money to their employees.' But he also warned of potential inequity that could push some people to take on student loan debt just to get the benefit. The bill proposes bringing back a COVID-era benefit that allows charitable deductions, even for those who don't itemize. 'For people who are not itemizing, that could [be a] benefit,' Ringbauer said. He emphasized that good planning, such as 'rolling up multiyear worth of charitable donation into a single year,' can make a real difference. For entrepreneurs, the bill includes an extended 100% bonus depreciation on qualifying business purchases. 'They're going to roll out the bonus depreciation and so forth, so that reduces your taxable income,' Ringbauer noted. The real winners of this bill, however, are those already in higher income brackets, as well as entrepreneurs and corporations. Some of the provisions supporting these earners include: No limitation on state and local tax deductions for corporations No increased tax rate for individuals in the highest tax bracket No increase to the stock buyback excise tax rate A permanent increase to the estate and gift tax exclusion to $15 million for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2025. This is also indexed for inflation. Ringbauer's biggest piece of advice is to talk with an accountant or financial planner pronto, and not to wait until tax season to find out how the bill affects you. 'Some of these changes are retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025,' he said. 'You cannot turn back time on Dec. 31 … The ship has sailed.' Whether you're a salaried employee, a small-business owner or somewhere in between, Ringbauer urged everyone to seek guidance. Those with the ability to reallocate or shift their income or assets may be able to get the most benefits from the tax provisions. As the bill's fate hangs in the balance of the legislative process, one thing is clear: For some Americans, the changes may offer real relief, but only if they're prepared to plan. More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 Warren Buffett: 10 Things Poor People Waste Money On 10 Unreliable SUVs To Stay Away From Buying This article originally appeared on 8 Ways Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' Could Offer Tax Relief Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Axios
18 hours ago
- Axios
5 under-the-radar pieces of Trump's "big, beautiful bill" that may impact your life
The " big, beautiful bill" is a dense, 940-page bill put together last minute. The big picture: Experts agree the breakneck speed of deliberation over what's in the bill leaves plenty of minutia and changes to sift through. "This is not normal," said Harris Eppsteiner, associate director of economic analysis at the Yale Budget Lab. "This pace of legislating is not what you would expect to see of a careful, well-thought out set of policies that are designed to grow the economy, help people save and help people invest." "I never seen something like this, to be honest," said Ignacio González, co-director of the Institute for Macroeconomic and Policy Analysis at American University. Here's what economic and policy experts said people should watch out for with the "big, beautiful bill" as it heads to the House. How BBB impacts gambling Context: The new bill puts the amount gamblers can deduct from their winnings equal to 90% of their losses for a tax year. This rule would be permanent and start in 2026, said Garrett Watson, director of policy analysis at the Tax Foundation. This means that a hypothetical gambler who won $100,000 but lost $100,000 would have to pay taxes on $10,000 of income. What they're saying: " Even if you break even, you'll still have a tax liability under this proposal," Watson said. "There could be scenarios where folks have a tax liability that matches or exceeds the amount that they earn." Pro poker player Phil Galfond said on X this amendment "would end professional gambling in the US and hurt casual gamblers." Charitable giving What to know: Under current law, taxpayers who itemize their deductions can receive deductions from charitable donations, Watson said. The new bill allows those who take the standard deduction to deduct up to $1,000 (single) or $2,000 (joint). Most Americans don't itemize their tax reductions, Watson said, but this gives people the chance to benefit. "Many people give at least some things during a year that could qualify," Watson said. "They can take that and then take that deduction from their taxes and it reduces their taxable income, reduces their tax liability at the end of the day. " Car loan interest and the BBB The current version includes an auto loan interest deductible, which includes provisions that expire in 2028. Some taxpayers could deduct up to $10,000 of annual interest on new auto loans, according to Watson. Loans for used cars would not qualify under the Senate version, Watson said, and the benefit only applies to new autos assembled in the United States. Reality check: Jonathan Smoke, chief economist at market research firm Cox Automotive, downplayed the benefits of it, saying a new loan would see roughly $500 in savings. "The interest payment on an average loan being closer to $3000 in interest in a calendar year and declining over time," he said in an earnings call in June. "So when you factor in what that really means to your taxes of taking the credit, it essentially is not even what a single monthly payment turns out to be." (Disclosure: Cox Automotive is owned by Cox Enterprises, which also owns Axios.) Rising electricity bills due to BBB Context: The bill phases out tax credits for solar and wind projects -- meaning that development will slow and consumers will face higher prices. This is happening at a time when electricity demand has risen given its needed for artificial intelligence and data centers. "They're going to face higher electricity" rates, said Natasha Sarin, president and co-founder of the Budget Lab at Yale. Energy economists and others have been predicting prices will rise. Republicans argue that over time, as more generation is added, prices will level out and eventually drop. Consumer protections targeted in BBB Funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a small operation that fights big businesses on behalf of American consumers, has been slashed by about half in the new bill. The CFPB has already been limping along after layoffs and legal troubles. The severed funding could lead to hundreds of job cuts and severely disarm a group that has returned billions to American consumers for more than a decade, according to AP.
Fox News
a day ago
- Fox News
Big Beautiful Bill
The Big Beautiful Bill is on track for passage, even though the usual suspects are decrying the Medicaid cuts while simultaneously shrieking about the debt and deficit. I'm Tomi Lahren, more next. Look, the big beautiful bill isn't perfect. Good luck getting a perfect bill out of this Congress or any Congress, we won't live to see that day. The most important thing this bill does is fund border enforcement and deportations. And I realize the Medicaid stuff is really in the weeds for a lot of us but let me just say this, there is no reason hard working Americans should be endlessly subsidizing able bodied adults who choose not to work or not to work hard. And it's also worth noting that this bill doesn't 'cut' medicaid. Medicaid has ballooned into such a scam-ridding fraudulent, money laundering enterprise that these so-called cuts just 'cut' down on that. Medicaid growth still is, and has been outpacing inflation. The BBB cuts down on the GROWTH of medicaid. I understand politicians don't like to be charged with cutting anything, but it's worth noting these programs are going to go broke if something doesn't change. Perfect is the enemy of good and this bill is good enough. I'm Tomi Lahren and you can watch my show 'Tomi Lahren is Fearless' at Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
