Column: Quantum software growth accelerates

The UN has designated 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, recognizing significant breakthroughs in quantum hardware, quantum error correction, and practical quantum applications throughout the year. Research firm QURECA reports that worldwide investment in quantum technologies has exceeded US$55.7 billion, reflecting growing global interest.

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Foxconn’s FII injects US$283 million into Tianjin to strengthen AI supply chain

Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII), a Foxconn subsidiary, is continuing to expand its strategic investments in artificial intelligence (AI) compute infrastructure. Foxconn announced on the evening of December 1, 2025, that FII, through its China-based Tianjin subsidiary Fulian Precision Electronics (Tianjin) Co., will inject CNY2 billion (US$282.6 million) into its unit Fulian Cloud Computing (Tianjin) Co., a move aimed at long-term strategic planning.

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US rallies allies to secure AI and mineral supply chains amid rare earth crunch

The US is moving to reinforce critical mineral and semiconductor supply chains with key allies as the West’s push to expand rare earth magnet production runs into a worsening shortage of heavy rare earth elements. Officials from eight allied nations will gather at the White House on December 12, 2025, to negotiate new agreements on energy, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor production, AI infrastructure, and logistics, according to Bloomberg. The initiative seeks to limit dependence on China, which controls more than 90% of global rare earth and permanent magnet refining capacity.

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Interview: Cybercrime enters AI-driven era with precise, scalable attacks, experts warn

Cybercriminal networks are evolving rapidly as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the landscape of cyber threats. Derek Manky, vice president of global threat intelligence at Fortinet, described the current phase as a third-generation cybercrime era marked by “AI-enabled scale.” Unlike earlier attacks that used automated scripts to cast wide nets, today’s cyber assaults employ AI to carry out highly tailored strikes against numerous victims simultaneously.

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MXIC chairman wins prestigious semiconductor award, stresses product value over manufacturing

The Pan Wen Yuan Foundation announced on December 1 that MXIC chairman Miin Wu has been honored with the 19th Pan Wen Yuan Prize. The award aims to recognize lifetime achievements contributing significantly to Taiwan’s technology industry. Under Wu’s leadership, MXIC became one of Taiwan’s earliest memory manufacturers to promote proprietary branded products and technology, standing out as a rare integrated device manufacturer (IDM) in Taiwan with capabilities spanning IC design, production, packaging, testing, and marketing.

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