In this web content, the author discusses the decline of computers as a general-purpose technology and the shift towards specialized processors. They explain that the rise of computers is not only due to technical advancements, but also to the economic forces that financed them. However, as progress slows in central processing units (CPUs), applications are moving towards specialized processors, such as graphics processing units (GPUs), for better performance in specific tasks. While this transition benefits applications in the “fast lane,” it can disadvantage applications that no longer benefit from rapid computing improvements. The author also highlights the economic challenges of producing universal processors and the increasing costs of building fabrication facilities.
https://cacm.acm.org/magazines/2021/3/250710-the-decline-of-computers-as-a-general-purpose-technology/fulltext