[nomel]

> The chip design itself should be the secret sauce.

The chip comes from the chip design, and the chip design is made with tools. None can exist alone.

> Many other companies are starting to get onboard with open chip design.

> There are plenty of company's releasing the chips too. Google's OpenTitan[2] security chip. WD's Swerv RISC-V core for their driver controller ARM R-series replacement[3].

These chips aren't the foundation of Google or WD's revenue stream. You won't see them significantly affecting a line item in their quarterly reports.

> are any companies other than Nvidia embarking up AI/ML chipmaking in a closed fashion?

Nvidia is in a unique position where the foundation of their profits (chips) happens to be what makes practical AI possible. They're literally running the vast majority of the show. If something falls into the "foundation of existence" circle in their Venn diagram of concerns, they're going to be less open about it. Improving the ability to design chips is at the exact center of that "foundation of existence" circle.