Asus has recently unveiled two major surprises in its business outlook. According to supply chain sources, the company's newly set internal targets for 2026 notebook shipments and AI server revenue have both exceeded market expectations.
As global companies unveil plans for space AI data centers, South Korean firms are prioritizing space-related technology as a new growth driver. Samsung Electronics' foundry division is reportedly actively developing space semiconductors and related foundry technologies.
Phison Electronics founder and CEO Pua Khein-Seng warned that the current NAND Flash shortage will worsen significantly in the second half of 2026, with an acute supply crunch expected in the fourth quarter of 2026, where "even money can't buy stock." To secure inventory amid this tight market, Phison has broken its no-debt tradition by launching a syndicated loan in March and plans to issue US$800 million in Euro-convertible bonds (ECB), targeting over NT$43 billion (US$1.4 billion) in total fundraising for 2026.
Japan's Yaskawa Electric is pointing to a turning point in its earnings trajectory, with AI-driven robotics and semiconductor equipment demand converging to lift orders, margins, and outlook.
Google recently announced an expanded collaboration with Intel to increase the deployment of Xeon processors in its cloud AI data centers. This move reflects the rapidly growing demand for CPUs in AI infrastructure, prompting Google to secure supply chains early to avoid future chip shortages that could hinder AI investments.
As generative AI and large-scale computing infrastructure continue to expand, the industry is coming to recognize "power as the limit of compute." With AI data centers demanding a high-intensity, stable power supply, Chinese tech giants are accelerating their expansion into the energy sector.
As the global generative AI boom shifts from scale to localization, Southeast Asia is emerging as a critical testing ground for the next phase of development. The region's linguistic diversity and complex cultural landscape are pushing developers to rethink model design, fueling the rise of localized large language models and smaller, more efficient systems tailored to specific use cases.
Apple is accelerating development of next-generation wearable hardware, with plans to launch its first smart glasses as early as 2027, Bloomberg reported. The initial product will not include a display, reflecting a focus on hands-free operation and ecosystem integration as the company moves into a market led by Meta Platforms and EssilorLuxottica.
Arizon RFID Technology saw its performance in 2025 impacted by a 20% contraction in the global RFID market last year, with the company posting full-year revenue of NT$3.953 billion (approx. US$124 million), down 14.3% year-over-year. Meanwhile, gross margin fell by 9.9% year-over-year to 22.3%, net profit after tax plunged 73.4% year-over-year to NT$225 million (approx. US$7 million), and earnings per share stood at NT$3.0. Despite the overall market shrinkage, however, Arizon increased its market share by roughly 2pp.
Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) chair Cheng-Wen Wu recently told the Legislative Yuan that Taiwan's robot development strategy aims to deploy machines for heavy and hazardous tasks. The government plans to invest NT$20 billion (US$629.4 million) in a smart robot industry promotion program, prioritizing sectors such as dangerous work environments, caregiving, food service, and healthcare.
Taiwan has formally launched its first national-level robotics hub, signaling an ambitious effort to build a globally competitive industry around intelligent machines. The National Center for AI Robotics, led by the National Institutes of Applied Research, is based in the southern innovation cluster of Shalun and was inaugurated on April 10.
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