Computer Industry to Recover First According to IEEE Fellows in the Computer Industry

Business Wire, Dec 30, 2002

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 30, 2002

Which industry, according to engineers in the know, is likely to recover first from the current technology slump? According to an IEEE Spectrum survey of IEEE Fellows, elite members of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, those working in the computer industry predict their segment will be first out of the current economic slump.

The first survey ever of IEEE Fellows, an honor conferred upon individuals with an extraordinary record of accomplishments in the Institute's fields of interest, indicated that IEEE Fellows in the computer industry were 20% more positive than IEEE Fellows on the whole in forecasting their industry to recover first. IEEE Fellows in the semiconductor industry closely followed in calling for their industry to bounce back first. All IEEE Fellows were collectively more positive on their own respective industry rebounding first from the technology slump. There are currently 6,011 IEEE Fellows out of the roughly 385,000 IEEE members.

Which Industry Will Recover First?

Industry            Overall   IEEE       Telecom Energy Computer  Semi
                    % of      Fellows                             Con
                    which     Expertise
                    would
                    recover
                    first

Telecom                 38%                 39%
Energy                  44%                        48%
Computer                49%                                 69%
SemiCon                 43%                                        62%

Chart: Courtesy IEEE Spectrum

The survey, published in the January issue of IEEE Spectrum, the flagship publication of the IEEE, details other responses to top technology questions in the industry today including:

-- The top three areas where the IEEE Fellows feel technology can cure social ills are: energy development, the fight against terrorism and environmental protection.

-- 52% believe that Moore's law will continue another 5-10 years.

-- 85% agree that high-caliber students are no longer choosing engineering as a profession because they are able to make more money in other fields.

-- 90% agree that trains and light-rail systems as a form of mass transit can't be developed nor maintained without significant government support.

"The IEEE Fellows are able to offer unparalleled insight into the state of their respective industries and on the technological challenges facing our world," said Senior Associate Editor Jean Kumagai, coordinator of the special report.

IEEE Spectrum is available by subscription, on many newsstands throughout the Northeastern United States and online at www.spectrum.ieee.org.

About IEEE Spectrum

IEEE Spectrum is published monthly by IEEE, the world's largest organization of technology and business leaders. 385,000 executives, engineers, and computer scientists at the world's largest companies and universities look to IEEE Spectrum each month for the latest news, the most accurate information, and the newest insights in their fields. IEEE Spectrum readership comprises the largest concentration of high-tech professionals and senior managers of any publication in its niche. Collectively these readers own thousands of patents and develop standards that ensure sound engineering practices worldwide. IEEE Spectrum also communicates through its Web site, Spectrum On Line, whose content includes numerous news stories and features beyond those featured in the publication.