AI is revolutionizing the global software industry, with tech giants like Meta and Google emphasizing its ability to generate code on par with mid-level software engineers. This shift is driving the need for professionals to enhance their skill sets to remain competitive. As AI adoption accelerates, the industry is also poised for consolidation, with sectors such as consulting and finance rapidly adapting to the evolving landscape.
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.
Taiwan’s digital infrastructure faced challenges again as two submarine cables connecting Taiwan and the Matsu Islands were completely severed on January 22, marking the latest in a series of disruptions that highlight the vulnerability of critical communication networks in the region.
On January 15, Mitsubishi Electric unveiled its updated R&D strategy, highlighting its commitment to advancing technologies like electronic-photonic converging integration (EPCI) besides an increased investment of JPY100 billion (approx. US$6.4 million) in R&D from the fiscal year 2024 to 2030, a 1.7-fold increase over its initial plan. This investment will be funneled into collaborations between industry, academia, and government, supporting efforts to create game-changing technologies.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics is teaming up with South Korean semiconductor materials company SoulBrain to develop materials for glass substrates, with plans for mass production by 2027. This partnership aims to enhance Samsung’s supply chain ecosystem and boost the development of next-generation semiconductor technology.
While Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s recent comments at CES 2025–suggesting it may take at least 20 years to develop a “truly useful” quantum computer–have sparked widespread debate, Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Minister Cheng-wen Wu has emphasized that quantum computing is a global competition, and Taiwan remains committed to advancing quantum research. Wu noted that whether it takes 3–5 years or 30–50 years, Taiwan will not be left behind.
On January 16, 2025, reports emerged that Muxi Integrated Circuit Co., Ltd. (MetaX), a Chinese GPU manufacturer, entered the IPO pipeline for the A-share market after completing its corporate restructuring and filing for listing guidance with Huatai United Securities.