As demand for artificial intelligence computing surges globally, US AI data centers (AIDCs) are increasingly hindered by prolonged delays in securing power grid connections. The average wait has extended to approximately five years, significantly outpacing the typical 18 to 24 months required for data center construction, creating “completed but idle” facilities and prompting urgent calls for regulatory overhaul.

Following the National Science and Technology Council’s (NSTC) announcement of the quantum computing mainframe construction project, attention has focused on whether Taiwan will use a quantum computer developed by Academia Sinica or procure one from abroad. Sources reveal that the National Center for High-Performance Computing (NCHC) under the National Applied Research Laboratories (NIAR) has launched an international tender. If IBM Quantum bids and wins, the deal hinges on whether the US government permits export, as commercial quantum computers are currently banned from overseas sales.

The US White House has formally announced a 25% import tariff on semiconductors under Section 232, while outlining multiple exemption mechanisms that could mitigate the impact on key suppliers. Against this backdrop, a high-level Taiwanese delegation is in Washington for a new round of trade negotiations aimed at safeguarding Taiwan’s semiconductor sector and its role in the global, AI-driven supply chain.

Unlike previous CES editions that focused on full humanoid robot systems, CES 2026 highlighted the standalone importance of dexterous hands. As the core interface for human–machine interaction, dexterous hands set the ceiling for robotic performance and represent the “last mile” in humanoid robot capability.