Hamish Low

Hamish is a researcher in the compute policy team at the Institute for AI Policy and Strategy (IAPS) where he is focused on questions related to China's semiconductor indigenization progress and China's compute ecosystem. He previously worked as an industry analyst covering telecoms and tech.

Projects

Research Direction: Understanding China's compute ecosystem

A number of key policy questions around US-China competition, export controls and international verification hinge on empirical questions around China's compute ecosystem. The goal of this research is to investigate questions within this space, undertake deeper research and analysis, and use this to improve policy makers understanding of these issues.

Work would look like building forecasts, writing up analysis or investigating specific policy options. A strong result would be a comprehensive write-up on a certain sub-question on China's compute ecosystem. Some example questions are below but there is scope for a fellow to choose other directions under this overall focus:

• What is the state of Germany's controls on Zeiss lithography optics being exported to China?
• How much speed-up will more powerful AI systems give to China's indigenization of semiconductor manufacturing equipment?
• How realistic is Huawei's plan to integrate hybrid bonding techniques into their AI chips by 2030?
• How effective could Chinese controls on networking equipment be in slowing down US AI buildouts?

What I'm looking for in a Mentee

Experience in any of: the semiconductor supply chain, China-focused research or export controls/compute governance would be very welcome but is not strictly necessary. The key attributes are really to be excited about working on these topics, being organised and agentic, and capable of writing in a clear and truth-seeking way.

What I'm Like as a Mentor

You should expect a weekly meeting for an hour to discuss the project, next steps and any issues, questions or uncertainties. Then an hour or two each week of async review of docs and other outputs as well as my being available on slack for any other questions or ways I can be useful. I also expect to be invested in your personal development and doing what I can to help you find the best follow on impactful roles and research within the field.