When Taiwanese media reported on Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang dining with TSMC, supply chain partners, and AI server company executives, curiosity arose about the VIPs accompanying Huang during his visits to three Nvidia branch offices in China and his attendance at their lunar year-end parties

The Stargate project, a landmark US$500 billion joint venture announced by US President Donald Trump in early 2025, has exposed growing tensions between OpenAI and Microsoft. While initially co-developed by the two companies, Microsoft's role has been significantly reduced, shifting from an expected leadership position to only a technology partner, raising questions about the implications of their partnership in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Taiwan-based Global PMX, a major manufacturer of automotive powertrain and safety components, has successfully expanded its presence in AI-powered digital healthcare and other sectors while maintaining steady growth in the traditional automotive industry.

Global server shipments are projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4% from 2024 to 2029. However, in 2025, the recovery momentum for servers is expected to be suppressed due to an unstable macroeconomic environment, the new tariff policies implemented during Trump's administration, and ongoing US-China geopolitical competition. This will result in a low shipment growth rate of just 3.9% for the year, according to DIGITIMES.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, and Sintrones Electronics is capitalizing on emerging opportunities in vertical application markets. By redefining its market strategy, the company aims to broaden its industry reach. Kevin Hsu, Sintrones CEO, is optimistic about this strategic transition, anticipating exponential revenue growth over the next three years.

In the 1970s and 1980s, Taiwan's tech industry was on the cusp of a major breakthrough. DIGITIMES president Colley Hwang aptly described this era as one where "heroes always come in groups." Among these trailblazers was Matthew Miau, chairman of the MiTAC-Synnex Group. Under his leadership, Lien Hwa Industrial transitioned from flour production to the tech sector, creating an ICT conglomerate and setting new industry benchmarks. Today, the group is gearing up to leverage AI to drive its future growth.

According to a DIGITIMES survey, the global EMS/ODM industry is becoming increasingly important due to the relocation of global supply chains. However, their 2024 revenues diverged due to differing trends in the AI and smartphone markets.

Malaysia's data center sector maintains an optimistic outlook despite new US export restrictions on artificial intelligence (AI) chips, which were implemented in the final days of President Joe Biden's administration.

Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has indicated that US President Donald Trump's most significant tariff policies are still pending announcement. A recent MOEA survey on Taiwanese manufacturers' export strategies revealed that only 8.9% have taken proactive measures to address potential US protectionist policies, while the majority maintain an observing stance.

Jeng-wu Tai, former Sharp CEO and retired Foxconn Vice President, has personally clarified to DIGITIMES that his ongoing lawsuit against Foxconn does not involve the company's former chairman Terry Gou, despite earlier rumors suggesting otherwise.

Sharp Corporation is set to announce its fiscal 2024 growth strategy during its earnings presentation in May 2025, covering the period from April 2024 to March 2025. However, key elements of this strategy, such as the CEO-led Innovation Accelerator Project (I-Pro), are already taking shape through ongoing initiatives.

The US intends to sustain its dominance in artificial intelligence (AI), and the market for HPC chips is expected to increase significantly for another four years, according to sources at IC design houses.

The US is set to enhance its AI infrastructure under President Donald Trump's administration, with Taiwan-based server manufacturers Foxconn and Mitac positioned to capitalize on increasing demand.

The industrial computer (IPC) sector faced a turbulent 2024 amid global economic and geopolitical uncertainties, leading to reduced inventories, order delays, and project postponements. While these challenges are expected to persist into 2025, optimism remains as economic conditions in Europe and the US stabilize. However, aggressive pricing strategies from Chinese IPC firms in Europe present a growing challenge to market growth.

Export orders from Taiwan are expected to decline significantly in January 2025, with the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) forecasting values between US$44.5 billion and US$46.5 billion. This represents a month-over-month decrease of 15.9% to 12.1% and a year-over-year decline of 8.1% to 4%.

Server ODMs are swiftly establishing manufacturing facilities in the US to mitigate the impact of geopolitical uncertainties, with Texas emerging as a favored location, according to industry sources from Taiwan.

Industry sources indicate that thermal issues associated with GB200 have prompted major clients including Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta to reduce their orders, impacting not only Nvidia's product sales and revenue but also creating significant implications for its primary HBM supplier, SK Hynix.

President Donald Trump announced a joint venture to fund artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure worth billions of dollars with the leaders of Softbank Group, OpenAI, and Oracle, an effort aimed at speeding the development of emerging technology.

With just two days remaining before the Legislative Yuan's 11th session adjourns on January 21, 2025, tensions are mounting over the central government's budget vote showdown. The Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) majority presents a significant challenge to the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) as opposition parties push for budget cuts and freezes. Premier Cho Jung-tai has urged legislators to approach the situation rationally and reconsider their positions.

Major Taiwan-based ODMs including Hon Hai (Foxconn), Quanta, Wistron, and Inventec enjoyed record-high sales in 2024, buoyed by robust AI server sales, while revenue at Pegatron and Compal fell due to a lack of exposure to AI.

Unfavorable winds in the general economy led to an overall downturn among industrial PC (IPC) manufacturers in 2024, with even traditional powerhouses like Advantech seeing a 7.43% decline in annual revenue. However, most IPC companies share a positive outlook for 2025, as political and economic stability and other external factors promise to benefit developments across the industry.

At Wistron's year-end party in Taiwan on January 17, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang emphasized the early stage of AI development and the crucial role of partners like Wistron in the supply chain, as the company projects strong AI opportunities for the coming year.

As the Legislative Yuan nears the end of its current session, opposition parties have proposed significant cuts and freezes to the 2025 central government budget. At a press conference on January 16, Premier Jung-tai Cho warned that these reductions would weaken Taiwan in five critical areas: technological development, national security, civil service performance, government communications, and overall national competitiveness.

AI cloud computing will remain the primary growth driver for the tech industry in 2025, while the outlook for consumer AI applications remains mixed, largely hinging on whether users can be convinced of the need to replace their devices, according to sources at IC design houses.

Strong AI-related demand will drive TSMC's 20% compound annual growth rate in revenue over the next five years, according to chairman C.C. Wei during the company's latest earnings call. This optimistic outlook aligns with broader server supply chain indicators, as order and shipment volumes demonstrate continued momentum in AI server demand, even amid concerns about GB200 shipments.