Generative AI is moving at a speed scaling past critical computation thresholds, initiating a shift from a "chip-centric to an interconnect-centric" architecture era. The physical limitations of legacy copper cabling have created a severe, industry-wide obstacle that is disrupting financial and operational roadmaps, prompting companies to lock down silicon photonics foundry capacity through 2028.

A defense industry forum in Taiwan signaled growing interest among US military tech companies in Taiwan's supply chain, particularly as a new era of warfare defined by AI and unmanned systems takes shape. Speakers at the event noted a need to shift from governments relying solely on traditional weapons procurement to supply chain integration between companies.

Thinking Electronics' outlook points to broader implications for global supply chains, as rising demand for protection components, AI data-center equipment, and electric vehicles tightens capacity across Asia. The Taiwan-based maker is also seeking to offset higher material costs, a trend that could affect pricing and sourcing for customers worldwide.

Sharp President and CEO Tetsuji Kawamura said the company has eased some long-standing management pressures, but its main challenge now is to expand its brand, develop new businesses, and accelerate globalization simultaneously. He outlined the strategy in an interview with DIGITIMES.

Falling inference prices and tightening data regulations are pushing AI compute beyond the hyperscale data center — reshaping infrastructure decisions for enterprises, governments, and device makers worldwide

WinWay Technologies, a major test interface provider, followed ASE Holdings in holding a groundbreaking ceremony for its new plant at the Renwu Industrial Park in southern Taiwan. The company plans to invest NT$3.5 billion (US$111.1 million) in the facility construction.

United Integrated Services, a key fab-building partner for TSMC and Micron, said the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom is continuing to drive semiconductor capital spending and lifting its order backlog to record levels. At its shareholders' meeting on May 29, the company stated that advanced processes, advanced packaging, and high-tech fab construction are now being shaped by AI and high-performance computing demand.

Facing memory shortages and Sharp's plan to shut down its Guishan K2 plant by the end of 2026, GIS chairman Hsien-Ying Chou said the company faces greater operational challenges in the second half of 2026. However, its transformation strategy is accelerating. Among its new businesses, optical waveguide products used in AI glasses and other applications began small-volume shipments in the first quarter of 2026, while its optical communications business is targeting advanced optical source packaging and testing services. Both new application areas are expected to gradually ramp up in 2027, creating new growth momentum for revenue and gross margins.

As the Middle East conflict escalates and demand for AI applications grows, product quotations continue to rise in the second quarter of 2026. Chen-Cheng Pan, chairman of silicone materials distributor Topco Scientific Materials, says upstream material shortages have also become severe. As applications in AI, optical communications, and robotics continue to expand, the proportion of revenue contributed by electronic materials is expected to increase further.

The conversation about humanoid robotics I observed over two days in Sunnyvale had a different quality from what I remembered a year ago. The demos were real. The deployments were live. The debate had shifted from "will this work" to "who gets to scale first" — and the answer is not obvious.