AI is reshaping global industries, but for smart healthcare startups, the biggest challenge remains how to translate technology into real-world clinical markets beyond isolated experiments. On December 18, the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) and international venture accelerator SparkLabs Taiwan co-hosted the Smart Health Capital Forum, bringing together representatives from medical startups, global pharmaceutical companies, and tech firms to share practical experiences in launching AI medical products and discuss balancing commercialization with clinical application.

As generative AI accelerates a new era of data-driven applications beyond big data, the quality and governance of data have emerged as decisive factors for success. In response, Taiwan's data community has taken a significant step toward standardization and trust by establishing the Taiwan Data Management Association (TDAMA) on December 16, 2025, aiming to address the long-standing lack of data governance standards across Taiwan's industries

Meta is accelerating its AI strategy with the development of two new flagship AI models. According to The Wall Street Journal, its image and video generation system code-named "Mango," and a text-based LLM dubbed "Avocado" are both expected to debut in the first half of 2026. The initiative marks Meta's most aggressive attempt yet to close the gap with rivals OpenAI, Google, and Elon Musk's xAI.

Chang Wah Electromaterials (CWE) announced on December 18 that it will recognize an asset impairment loss of NT$655 million (US$20.75 million) related to its investment in JMC Electronics in the fourth quarter of 2025. The company's board approved recording corresponding investment and goodwill impairment losses totaling the same amount in line with international accounting standards.

Saudi Arabia is promoting the idea of "data embassies" to draw global investments in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, aiming to become the first G20 country with a comprehensive legal framework to protect foreign data sovereignty. The concept, reported by CNBC and Bloomberg, envisions data centers on Saudi soil governed by the laws of the data-owning country, similar to diplomatic embassies.

Samsung Electronics has moved ahead in the race to supply next-generation AI server memory, providing Nvidia with samples of its SOCAMM2 LPDDR-based modules. The development signals a strategic shift as the AI memory market diversifies beyond high-bandwidth memory (HBM), with Samsung's LPDDR expertise offering a competitive edge, according to Samsung and Korean media ZDNet Korea and Biz Herald.

China's 3C market has been reporting successive price hikes despite a sluggish macroeconomic environment and deflationary pressure. Xiaomi, followed by Honor, Lenovo, and Dell, have increased prices, demonstrating the impact of memory shortages on the 3C end market.

The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced agreements with 24 organizations to participate in the Genesis Mission, a national initiative leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to advance scientific research, strengthen national security, and drive energy innovation. The mission, established under President Trump's Executive Order on AI leadership and America's AI Action Plan, aims to remove barriers to domestic innovation and expand US competitiveness in AI-driven research.

TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, have signed binding agreements to create a new US-based joint venture that will be majority-owned and controlled by American investors, TikTok CEO Shou Chew said in an internal memo to employees. The transaction, which is expected to close on January 22, 2026, is designed to secure the video-sharing platform's long-term operations in the US amid persistent national security scrutiny from Washington.

The US International Trade Commission has launched an investigation into alleged patent infringement by Advanced Micro Devices, Lenovo, and Supermicro, following a complaint from Adeia, Inc. and its affiliates over semiconductor devices and computing products incorporating hybrid or direct bonded structures.

As humanoid robots emerge as a key technology riding the wave of AI, the US and China are rapidly forming two competing camps. Industry insiders analyzing their strengths say the US holds an edge mainly in software and foundational models, while China slightly outpaces the US in hardware innovation and iteration speed, with costs reportedly just one-fifth those of American products, making it difficult for other countries to catch up in the short term.