Taiwan’s semiconductor hub set to shine as world tech flocks in for Computex – Firstpost

World semiconductor chip giants will come collectively this week at Taiwan’s premier tech expo to current “the following frontier” in a synthetic intelligence-dominated sector.

On Monday, the eve of Computex, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will ship a keynote handle because the tech trade struggles with the results of US tariffs and provide chain disruptions.

Taiwan, whose semiconductor sector is crucial to the manufacturing of every little thing from iPhones to the servers that energy ChatGPT, will entice pc and chip companies from all around the globe for the four-day occasion.

Taiwan manufactures the vast majority of probably the most subtle chips on the planet, together with these required for probably the most potent AI analysis and purposes.

“I’ve many superb bulletins to make,” Huang instructed reporters in Taipei on Friday.

“We’re on the coronary heart of the know-how ecosystem and so there are various companions of ours right here and we’re wanting ahead to asserting many collaborations, many new tasks, many new applied sciences and initiatives collectively.”

High executives from Qualcomm, MediaTek and Foxconn may even communicate at Computex, the place advances in shifting AI from information centres into laptops, robots and vehicles will probably be within the highlight.

“From Agentic AI driving smarter private units to Bodily AI reshaping autonomy, the present maps out the following frontier,” specialist analysis agency Counterpoint mentioned in a be aware.

Tech professional Paul Yu instructed AFP the trade was at a “essential juncture” for AI {hardware} growth.

“Over the previous two and a half years, important funding has pushed speedy advances in AI know-how,” mentioned Yu, of Witology Markettrend Analysis Institute.

“2025 to 2026 would be the essential interval for transitioning AI mannequin coaching into worthwhile purposes.”

‘Taiwan to proceed to thrive’

Whereas US tariffs have been the most important difficulty going through the sector, most corporations at Computex “will draw back from addressing tariffs straight because the scenario is just too unsure,” mentioned Eric Smith of specialist platform TechInsights.

Final month, Washington introduced a nationwide safety probe into imports of semiconductor know-how, which might put the trade within the crosshairs of President Donald Trump’s commerce bazooka and inflict probably devastating levies.

Since taking workplace in January, Trump has threatened hefty tariffs towards a lot of America’s largest commerce companions with the goal of forcing corporations to maneuver manufacturing to US soil.

Export-dependent Taiwan has pledged to extend funding in america because it seeks to keep away from a 32 p.c US tariff on its shipments.

However there are issues the island might lose its dominance of the chip sector – the so-called “silicon defend” defending it from an invasion or blockade by China and an incentive for america to defend it.

TSMC, the Taiwanese contract chipmaking big, has unveiled plans to inject a further $100 billion into america, on high of the $65 billion already pledged.

TSMC-supplier GlobalWafers additionally introduced plans final week to extend its US funding by $4 billion because the Taiwanese firm opened a wafer facility within the US state Texas.

However Huang was optimistic on Friday when requested in regards to the influence of tariffs on Taiwan, saying the island would “stay on the centre of the know-how ecosystem”.

“There are such a lot of sensible corporations right here, there are such a lot of progressive and spirited corporations,” Huang mentioned.

“I absolutely anticipate Taiwan to proceed to thrive… earlier than, after, all through.”