Huawei launches global prize to break memory bottlenecks

As generative AI and large language models scale rapidly, the computing race is shifting toward a quieter but decisive battleground: how data is stored, accessed, and utilized. According to Sina and Securities Times, Huawei has launched a global call for solutions through the sixth OlympusMons Awards, which opened on December 26, 2025. With a total prize pool of CNY3 million (US$426,000), the program seeks innovations aimed at overcoming storage and memory bottlenecks in the AI era.

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8-inch foundry price rises take hold as BCD, HV nodes lead

The global 8-inch wafer foundry market has entered a price upcycle. Foundries, including SMIC and Hua Hong Semiconductor, along with major Taiwanese and South Korean mature-node players, have notified customers that 8-inch foundry prices are set to rise by around 5 to 10% starting in the first quarter of 2026, covering specialty processes such as BCD and high-voltage (HV) platforms.

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MediaTek expands automotive chip business with Denso partnership

MediaTek has announced a collaboration with Japanese automotive giant Denso to jointly develop customized SoC products for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and smart cockpit technologies. By combining Denso’s expertise in automotive safety standards with MediaTek’s chip development experience and IP portfolio, the partners aim to rapidly create and mass-produce solutions tailored to automakers’ specific needs.

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Analysis: Nvidia builds capital moat to lock in CUDA era

After briefly approaching a US$5 trillion market capitalisation, Nvidia spent 2025 deploying capital at an unprecedented pace, backing Groq, OpenAI, Nokia, Synopsys, and Intel through technology deals, equity stakes, and strategic partnerships. The objective is straightforward: convert AI-driven cash inflows into a durable, structural influence across the AI ecosystem.

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Foundry 2.0 market hits US$85 billion in 3Q25: TSMC, AI packaging lead growth

The global semiconductor industry’s transition into the “Foundry 2.0” era is now measurable in revenue, utilization, and competitive positioning. The expanded foundry ecosystem generated US$84.8 billion in revenue in the third quarter of 2025, up 17% year over year. Growth was driven by a simultaneous surge in advanced-node wafer output and AI-led demand for advanced packaging, according to Counterpoint Research.

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