Lamenting Changes in America, "Father of the Microprocessor" Faggin Moves Back to Italy

ROME, July 3 (CNA) -- Federico Faggin, the "father of the microprocessor" who laid the foundation for modern computer technology, has returned to his native Italy to live after residing in the United States for 57 years. He told Italian media, "My America no longer exists," and urged people not to trust technocrats, "who are full of power and money."

Faggin, 84, is the inventor of the world's first commercial microprocessor. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates once said that without Faggin, Silicon Valley would just be a valley. In 2010, Faggin was awarded the National Medal of Science by then-U.S. President Obama.

Faggin recently left the U.S. and moved back to his hometown of Vicenza, Italy. In an interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera on July 2, he said, "The America of my memory no longer exists; it is increasingly leaning towards commerce and technology, especially in Silicon Valley, where people are abusing the internet and information."

"My world is hardware-driven, not a world of deceiving others with software, which is somewhat disappointing." Faggin described that he felt more at ease in California, USA, back then than in Italy, but he dislikes the recent developments in the U.S., "especially the dismissive attitude towards war."

When asked if he still encourages young Italians to go abroad, Faggin believes that traveling abroad to broaden one's horizons is always good, but Italy is not without opportunities. He himself has invested in some Italian tech companies, such as P49 in Padova, which specializes in developing "human-centered" artificial intelligence.

Faggin expressed concern about the misuse of artificial intelligence, noting that in the U.S., AI is subject to almost no regulation. "The problem is that those who want to use AI without restrictions are precisely the government, those who should be responsible for regulation. Even European regulations have exceptions for the EU defense sector."

Faggin stated that he has been researching the issues of free will and consciousness since 2008, especially in the context of artificial intelligence, which is dominating business in Silicon Valley. "Italy is also a place full of philosophical culture and thought, much richer than what I have seen in the U.S. We experienced the Renaissance, and if the U.S. and Italy cooperate instead of competing excessively, we can usher in a new Renaissance." (Edited by Chen Hui-ping) 1150703

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