Where once it was the quick and the dead, it is now size rather than speed that discriminates the living (at least for technology companies). Hence the need for US chipmaker AMD to seek out the deep pockets of Abu Dhabi. The Emirate’s sovereign wealth fund is to buy a majority stake in the chip manufacturing business to be spun out of AMD for $700m and then contribute another $3bn-$6bn to build foundries for the new group.

The need for help is the result of the harsh reality faced by all but the largest manufacturers and designers of hardware: once a lead is established in terms of scale and technology, it is very rarely reversed.