Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC) announced on November 28 the launch of its Tongluo facility in Miaoli, central Taiwan, equipped with advanced interposer production and 3D wafer stacking capabilities. This new fab, with a monthly capacity of 40,000 12-inch wafers, positions PSMC to deliver high-margin 3D AI foundry services, enabling global clients to capitalize on the accelerating growth of the AI sector.
The Japanese government is preparing a budget amendment for fiscal year 2024 (April 2024 – March 2025) to allocate additional support for the semiconductor and AI sectors, with funding directed toward Rapidus, which is working toward mass production of 2nm chips.
AI PC sales have so far failed to live up to the initial hype, but Acer chairman and CEO Jason Chen predicts that the devices will reach the pricing sweet spot next year to trigger replacement demand.
Recent reports claim that OpenAI is in discussions with Samsung Electronics (Samsung) regarding a collaboration to integrate ChatGPT into their devices, which could mirror Apple's approach. The actual partnership dynamics, along with Samsung's existing relationship with Google, are drawing significant attention.
Taiwan's Hiwin Technologies, a leading maker of motion control components, has been investing in robotics for years, with a strong focus on industrial applications. Chairman Eddie Chuo has repeatedly emphasized that Hiwin has no plans to produce humanoid robots. Instead, the company continues to enhance its expertise in core components such as harmonic reducers, ball screws, and linear guideways, which are critical across various robot types.
The global push toward net-zero emissions is transforming industries, presenting both challenges and unprecedented opportunities. With 198 countries committed to net-zero targets by 2050, this transition has become essential for businesses seeking long-term sustainability. The industrial PC (IPC) sector stands at the forefront of these changes.
Allis Electric Co. (AEC) is broadening its market focus beyond semiconductors to tap into the surging energy demands of artificial intelligence and data center sectors. The company plans to leverage its established expertise in high- and low-voltage switchgear and transformers, building upon its strong foundation as a supplier to Taiwan's leading semiconductor manufacturers.
According to Science and Technology Daily on October 16, ChatGPT's emergence has spurred unprecedented growth in AI innovation, with China experiencing a rapid surge in AI computing power development. The country has over 250 AI computing centers that are either built or under construction nationwide.
In 2024, AI smartphones remain a central focus for major brands and chipmakers, aimed at advancing AI to create all-in-one mobile assistants and revolutionize human-device interaction. Sales during the year's peak season exceeded supply chain projections, signaling sustained consumer interest.
Quanta Executive VP Alan Tsai projected that within the next one to two years, AI will become as seamlessly integrated into daily life as the internet, no longer perceived as a distinct innovation. Tsai stressed that for individuals to fully harness AI's benefits, reliance on cloud-based solutions alone will not suffice, highlighting edge AI as an inevitable development.
LG Group convened a board meeting to finalize senior leadership changes across its subsidiaries. While overall promotions were scaled back, the company emphasized advancing R&D talent and increasing representation among women and younger professionals, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and long-term growth strategies.
LG Electronics has announced a major organizational restructuring aimed at shifting from a product-focused strategy to a solution-driven approach. This strategic realignment seeks to drive sustainable business growth while bolstering the company's competitive edge.
Wistron anticipates reporting a three-digit percentage increase in its AI server sales for 2024, followed by another substantial three-digit growth in 2025, driven by robust market demand, according to the Taiwan-based ODM.
SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son has visited India for discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and prominent startup leaders, focusing on artificial intelligence development and implementation strategies.
The US Federal Trade Commission has opened an antitrust investigation of Microsoft, drilling into everything from the company's cloud computing and software licensing businesses to cybersecurity offerings and artificial intelligence products.
During a recent investor conference in New York, Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon emphasized that since 2021, the company has been actively expanding beyond mobile phones. The company's aggressive execution over the past few years has yielded significant results, a strategy that will continue moving forward.
Due to restrictions on accessing Nvidia's most advanced GPUs, China's top 500 supercomputing systems rely exclusively on earlier-generation Nvidia accelerators, according to data from Top500.org.
The AI agent market is witnessing explosive growth as leading players, including Microsoft, Apple, Zhipu, and Huawei, race to solidify their positions. At the Baidu World 2024 conference, CEO Robin Li confidently stated that large AI models have largely overcome hallucination issues, marking a turning point for AI applications. Li forecasted that AI intelligence would soon dominate as the most transformative application of large models.
On November 26, Germany's Tönnjes International Group and the German-Taiwanese joint venture Toennjes Leon unveiled an innovative AI anti-counterfeit license plate initiative at the GIS Convention Center of Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC). The project aims to promote German IDePlate technology while leveraging Taiwan's semiconductor and AI innovation capabilities.
Donald Trump is set to return to the White House in January 2025, and he has already declared on social media that on his first day in office, he will sign an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, as well as a 10% charge on Chinese imports. Given that Mexico is a major priority for many Taiwanese ICT companies in terms of manufacturing migration, this move is likely to trigger another wave of supply chain adjustments.
Following Amazon's recent announcement of its investment in nuclear energy in the US, industry watchers are waiting to see if such investment will expand to other regions.
A series of meetings between Chinese officials and US tech executives signals potential warming ties, with senior representatives from Nvidia and Apple holding discussions in Beijing this month.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's vision of sovereign AI encounters significant challenges in China's market, where AI computing resources face a paradoxical situation of scarcity and underutilization. According to industry sources, Beijing plans to prioritize AI computing centers using domestic hardware while blocking those dependent on foreign providers like Nvidia and AMD.
Humanoid robots, widely considered the ultimate achievement in robotics, integrate advanced computing, sensors, motors, and AI to replicate human form and movement. Global tech giants including Tesla, Amazon, Nvidia, and Microsoft have intensified their R&D efforts amid renewed interest in the field, while China has emerged as a frontrunner backed by strong government support.
