Jarllytech, a bearing manufacturer, reported that its January 2025 production capacity was significantly affected by labor shortages in its mobile phone bearing assembly lines during the Lunar New Year holiday, resulting in a notable revenue decline. However, analysts expect demand to remain strong, citing the ongoing peak shipment period for foldable devices to Chinese customers and anticipated robust orders.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has reportedly implemented new shipment restrictions on Chinese IC design firms amid intensifying US-China trade tensions. Effective January 31, 2025, products using 16/14nm and below technologies must be packaged by a US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)-certified third-party OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) provider. Furthermore, TSMC requires an official certification copy from the approved packaging firm before proceeding with shipments, with deliveries halted if documentation is not provided.

Jim Keller, a semiconductor industry veteran, remains deeply involved in RISC-V development, working to establish a new foundation for AI-driven computing despite being years away from turning 70. In a recent interview with the Computer History Museum (CHM), he reflected on his decades-long career and technological contributions.

The low-cost open-source AI model from Chinese startup DeepSeek has ignited widespread debate, drawing responses from major American tech giants. IBM, which has recently prioritized hybrid cloud and AI, underscores the growing momentum behind open-source, smaller-scale models, and the democratization of AI—trends that are impossible to ignore. However, the company also cautions against AI development being controlled by a select few, particularly those who may overlook data privacy and transparency.