Software on commodity cloud servers is thought to represent the ultimate in flexibility, cost control, and implementation speed. Why, then, do the largest video platforms in the world – YouTube and Facebook – run largely on ASICs? The reason lies in the significant power and density advantages purpose-built silicon delivers. Dylan Patel from SemiAnalysis and Alex Liu from NETINT share the secrets behind large technology companies’ ASIC projects and the change driving massive investment in ASIC development.