This is today's edition of The Download, our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of what's going on in the world of technology.
The $400 Million Machine Powering the Future of Chipmaking
Getting to the top of ASML’s newest machine is no small feat. It's roughly the size of a double-decker bus, weighs over 150 tons, and costs $400 million. Yet, for those aiming to manufacture the world's most advanced chips, such a lithography system is indispensable.
As the AI era demands ever faster chips, ASML’s machines are key to making that possible. They pattern chip features using extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) light—radiation outside the visible spectrum, generated by firing lasers at tiny molten droplets of tin tens of thousands of times per second.
ASML now produces about 90% of all chip-lithography tools worldwide. This dominance has raised concerns among some individuals and governments, and potential competitors are now vying for its market share.
Read the full story on ASML’s $400 million machine—and the growing threats to its position.
—Clive Thompson
Three Things to Know
- Anthropic’s Government Clash: Anthropic, the AI safety company behind Claude, is facing increasing tension with government regulators over its data-sharing practices. As of mid-2026, the company is challenging new federal requirements to disclose proprietary model training data, citing intellectual property risks and competitive disadvantages. This clash highlights the growing friction between private AI firms and government oversight bodies seeking to ensure transparency and safety.
- Meta Pauses Keystroke Tracking Program: Meta has temporarily halted an AI training program that monitored workers’ keystrokes. The program, designed to improve AI performance by analyzing employee typing patterns, raised significant privacy concerns. The pause follows employee pushback and regulatory scrutiny, reflecting broader debates about workplace surveillance in the age of AI development.
- The Future of Chipmaking: Beyond ASML’s dominance, the chip industry is seeing new entrants and technologies. By 2026, several startups and consortia are exploring alternative lithography methods, such as electron-beam and nanoimprint techniques, aiming to reduce reliance on EUV systems. These developments could reshape global chip supply chains, especially as nations invest heavily in semiconductor self-sufficiency.
Stay tuned for more updates on these evolving stories. For deeper insights, subscribe to The Download newsletter.