RISC-V technology challenges Arm's dominance in computing

Angelina Jolie's movie "Hackers" predicted a significant shift in computer technology 30 years ago. Now, that idea seems more relevant than ever as a new battle unfolds in the tech world between different computer architectures. The original concept of Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) was developed in 1980 by researcher David Patterson. He challenged the established computer designs and eventually succeeded. Now, Patterson's followers are revisiting RISC to fit modern needs, which puts them at odds with Arm, a company that benefited from RISC's success. Arm recently responded to developments in RISC-V, an open standard architecture created to allow anyone to build computer chips. Arm argues that using untested designs can be risky and that customers prefer reliable, proven technology. The RISC-V community, however, believes in the potential for innovation, enabling anyone to create their own computing hardware. While building RISC-V systems requires significant financial investment, it is gaining traction, particularly in niche markets. Similar to how Arm thrived in the 1990s, RISC-V is finding success in special-purpose devices, like those used in cars. The battle reached a new level when Berkeley researchers created SiFive, a company making RISC-V computer parts, turning Arm from a mentor into a competitor. At a recent tech conference in Santa Clara, tension was palpable. Attendees shared that morale was low at Arm, especially after news of a conflict with Qualcomm, a major partner. Some competitors openly criticized Arm, while one person working with RISC-V was too embarrassed to reveal it was based on Arm technology. Despite the rivalry, connections across tech companies remain strong. Many industry leaders have backgrounds with various firms, highlighting the intertwined nature of the tech ecosystem. The rise of open-source technology has often been supported by larger companies, proving that collaboration between different sectors is essential for progress.