Marvell reported strong fiscal third-quarter results with a 6.87% revenue increase, driven by record data center revenue, primarily from custom AI silicon. The company forecasts continued growth in the fourth quarter, with revenue expected to increase by 19% quarterly and 26% year-over-year. Analysts predict that AI sales will exceed expectations, potentially reaching US$1.6 billion.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced three significant reforms in data center technology, including the streamlining of power distribution and structural design, the introduction of liquid cooling systems, and enhancements to energy efficiency. The company is also collaborating with Nvidia to advance the design of liquid-cooled server racks.
Megvii Technology, one of China's original "AI Elite Four" which specializes in computer vision and deep learning, announced its application for an initial public offering (IPO) on the Shanghai Stock Exchange Science and Technology Innovation Board (STAR) has been withdrawn.
Orders for brand AI servers are surging, prompting Taiwan-based electronic contract manufacturing firms to capitalize on the trend regardless of order variations.
Demand for AI servers will not peak in 2025, according to Quanta Computer executive VP and Quanta Cloud Technology general manager Mike Yang. In his opinion, the AI industry has seen an end-to-end progression encompassing all aspects from training and inference to end-user devices. Quanta has also seen AI server orders steadily increase.
The development of AI robots spans multiple sectors, from smart factories to smart homes and specialized applications. However, for semiconductor giants like Nvidia and Qualcomm, penetrating the industrial sector presents challenges reminiscent of the autonomous vehicle market.
Donald Trump has accelerated his cabinet appointments post-election, naming all 15 cabinet-level positions and over 20 key officials within 20 days—outpacing his first-term timeline.
Leading AI companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google are encountering significant challenges in developing their next-generation AI models. Progress has fallen short of expectations, with models like OpenAI's "Orion" and Anthropic's "Claude 3.5 Opus" failing to meet internal benchmarks, resulting in delayed releases.
Both Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang consider humanoid robots to be the ultimate chapter in AI development. According to a Goldman Sachs research forecast for the first half of 2024, humanoid robot shipments are expected to exceed 250,000 units by 2030, with nearly all deployments in industrial sectors.
Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI has made headlines with its urgent push for advanced AI hardware. Industry sources indicate that Musk directly approached Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, offering a premium to expedite a US$1.08 billion order. Production of these AI server systems will be handled by Foxconn, Nvidia's key manufacturing partner.
Global smartphone shipments have slowed in recent years due to high inflation, market saturation, and extended replacement cycles. However, the surge in generative AI (GenAI) has injected new life into the stagnant market, with global smartphone demand projected to grow 5% year-over-year, reaching nearly 1.2 billion units in 2024.
South Korean AI chip startup DeepX is in the final stages of preparation for its first mass-produced chips. Through Samsung Electronics' foundry division, the company has achieved an 88% yield rate using advanced 5nm process technology, with expectations to surpass 90% in mass production—a promising indicator for this cutting-edge AI hardware initiative.
MiTAC Corporate President Billy Ho expressed optimism for 2025, though he acknowledged the significant uncertainties ahead, including geopolitical tensions and the potential impact of a "Trump 2.0" scenario. To mitigate these risks, MiTAC is taking proactive measures to ensure resilience and adaptability in the face of potential disruptions.
SoftBank, which has stakes in numerous Indian unicorns, focuses on tapping into India's potential in the AI era. Nationally, India may introduce another incentive to support local electronics manufacturers. An area Apple is currently scouting for.
The growing adoption of AI across industries and intensifying geopolitical tensions have led to escalating cybersecurity threats, fueling demand for robust solutions and digital forensic services. Taiwan-based Acer Cyber Security Inc. (ACSI), a cybersecurity specialist, has seen steady revenue growth as a result.
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.
