Former TSMC Chairman Mark Liu Establishes New Tech Policy Center at UC Berkeley

A Strategic Initiative for Innovation and Industrial Competitiveness

Mark Liu, the former Chairman of TSMC, has unveiled his latest endeavor following his retirement in 2024. According to a press release from his alma mater, the University of California, Berkeley, Liu has partnered with the institution to launch the Technology Competitiveness and Industrial Policy Center (TCIP).

This new research center aims to bridge the gap between fundamental technological research and large-scale commercialization, bringing together leading academics, industry experts, and policymakers to strengthen national industrial competitiveness.

The Motivation Behind TCIP

Liu emphasized that over the past few decades, there has been a disconnect between upstream research and downstream high-tech manufacturing. While groundbreaking innovations emerge from research institutions, they do not always translate into commercial success or strengthen a nation’s technological leadership.

“With society’s increasing reliance on new technologies, this disconnect is impacting national competitiveness. To address this, we need a comprehensive national strategy that fosters innovation from fundamental research to product development, manufacturing, and market adoption,” Liu stated.

Key Objectives of TCIP

The Technology Competitiveness and Industrial Policy Center (TCIP) will focus on:

Strengthening the entire innovation pipeline – from research to product commercialization.

Enhancing national industrial strategies to maintain global leadership in key technologies.

Fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers to drive impactful innovations.

UC Berkeley’s Role and Leadership

UC Berkeley will play a pivotal role in TCIP’s establishment and operations. The center will be co-directed by:

Professor S. Shankar Sastry (Computer Science, UC Berkeley)

Thomas M. Siebel (Entrepreneur and Industry Leader)

On February 13, TCIP held its inaugural meeting, bringing together leaders from academia, industry, and policy think tanks across the United States for panel discussions and strategic planning.

Addressing Global Technology Competition

With ongoing geopolitical tensions, semiconductor shortages, and the AI revolution, governments worldwide are re-evaluating their industrial and technological policies. TCIP aims to serve as a think tank for shaping effective strategies in this rapidly evolving landscape.

Liu’s initiative aligns with recent global trends in industrial policy, such as:

The CHIPS and Science Act in the U.S., which aims to revitalize domestic semiconductor manufacturing.

Europe’s push for technological sovereignty through strategic R&D investments.

China’s aggressive semiconductor self-sufficiency goals amid export restrictions.

By fostering collaboration between universities, policymakers, and industry leaders, TCIP seeks to provide actionable insights and policy recommendations that drive innovation and national competitiveness.

What’s Next for Mark Liu and TCIP?

While Liu stepped down from TSMC’s leadership, his influence on the global semiconductor industry remains strong. Through TCIP, he continues to shape the future of technology policy, research commercialization, and industrial strategy.

With UC Berkeley’s leading role in AI, semiconductors, and engineering research, TCIP is poised to become a critical hub for industrial policy discussions that impact global technology ecosystems.