DeepSeek's rapid ascent highlights China's growing dominance in AI. Supported by a robust ecosystem of domestic technology and resources, the startup reflects the nation's drive to build a globally competitive, innovation-led AI industry
A significant shift in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector is reshaping the semiconductor market. DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, recently unveiled a large language model (LLM) that competes with those from major global players, while utilizing lower-end GPUs. This development has raised concerns among high-bandwidth memory (HBM) suppliers, as the shift could signal a potential drop in HBM prices. On the first trading day after South Korea's Lunar New Year in 2025, shares of SK Hynix fell by as much as 12%, while Samsung Electronics saw its stock drop by 4%
China's automotive chip industry is gaining momentum in 2025, driven by both external pressures and internal opportunities. In response to US restrictions, Chinese automakers are intensifying their self-developed chip production efforts, demonstrating a strategic shift toward technological independence
Amid the rapid development of dual-use technologies, the Japanese government has announced intensified regulatory measures on critical technology exports. On January 31, 2025, Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) revealed a revision to the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law (FEFTA) to prevent essential technologies from being diverted for military use. This regulatory overhaul targets 21 products, including advanced semiconductors and quantum computers, requiring businesses to obtain prior authorization before export
Hangzhou-based AI startup DeepSeek has made global waves with the launch of its large language model (LLM). While US mainstream media remains largely critical, international coverage—especially in India and Europe—has taken a more optimistic stance on its potential impact
Jae-Yong Lee, chairman of Samsung Electronics, has been acquitted in the second trial concerning an improper merger case, marking the resolution of years of legal uncertainty. With his newfound freedom, speculation is mounting about whether he will soon meet with Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang
On February 1, 2025, the US government imposed a 10% tariff on all Chinese exports, citing fentanyl-related concerns. The new tariffs will take effect on February 4, escalating trade tensions between the world's two largest economies
Samsung Electronics (Samsung) has made pre-ordering for the Galaxy S25 series available in Taiwan. According to Jacob Chen, president of Samsung Taiwan's Mobile Communications Division, the Galaxy S25 is expected to achieve a 20% increase in overall sales and an over 25% increase in revenue compared to the Galaxy S24, driven by advancements in generative AI (GenAI) and enhanced marketing strategies
Shein, the Chinese fast-fashion company, has returned to India nearly five years after a ban, partnering with Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Retail, highlighting India's adoption of a market-for-technology approach similar to China's
Samsung Electronics reported disappointing fourth-quarter 2024 results for its Mobile Experience (MX) and Network (NW) divisions, as new product sales failed to meet expectations. The South Korean tech giant plans to unveil the Galaxy S25 series on February 7, 2025, hoping to reverse the downward trend, according to local media reports
ByteDance's TikTok plans to invest THB126.8 billion (US$3.76 billion) in a Thai data hosting service, marking a major expansion in Southeast Asia. Thailand is emerging as a digital hub, attracting tech giants like Google, AWS, and Microsoft despite workforce challenges
Samsung Electronics' Device Solutions (DS) division has reported weaker-than-expected earnings for the fourth quarter of 2024, grappling with a series of challenges that have raised concerns within the semiconductor industry. Experts point to five major obstacles currently facing Samsung's semiconductor business: falling prices for general-purpose DRAM, delays in HBM deliveries, slowing demand for enterprise solid-state drives (eSSDs), widening losses in its foundry business, and escalating tensions between the US-China conflicts that may be difficult to resolve in the short term
DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup, has stirred industry discussion with the announcement of its new "high-efficiency AI" model. The company claims this new model delivers performance comparable to ChatGPT at a dramatically lower cost—generating significant interest across the industry. According to DeepSeek, the breakthrough stems from substantially reduced training costs, a development that could reshape the AI landscape. However, industry experts remain cautious, emphasizing that further validation is needed before drawing any conclusions
According to the latest Samsung Display financial results for 2024, the panel provider registered sales of KRW29.2 trillion (US$19.99 billion), marking only the second time since 2016 that its revenue dipped below KRW30 trillion, reflecting intensifying competition from Chinese manufacturers and declining demand for panels from both smartphones and IT products
