AI is reshaping global industries, but for smart healthcare startups, the biggest challenge remains how to translate technology into real-world clinical markets beyond isolated experiments. On December 18, the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) and international venture accelerator SparkLabs Taiwan co-hosted the Smart Health Capital Forum, bringing together representatives from medical startups, global pharmaceutical companies, and tech firms to share practical experiences in launching AI medical products and discuss balancing commercialization with clinical application.

China has begun easing restrictions on rare earth exports by approving a series of general licenses for qualified suppliers, according to the Ministry of Commerce on December 18, 2025. The move allows for smoother shipments to overseas customers and signals a measured loosening of trade controls that had tightened earlier this year.

Former COO of TSMC and a veteran semiconductor industry leader, J.K. Wang, shared insights from his 30-plus-year career at the company in an exclusive interview with DIGITIMES’ IC Broadcasting podcast, marking his first media interview since retirement.

As memory shortages and price increases extend through 2026, smartphone companies are considering downgrading memory capacities in their devices. Despite this, Jacob Chen, president of Samsung Taiwan’s Mobile Communications Division, stated that Samsung’s vertically integrated structure across the supply chain allows the company to benefit from memory shortages, supporting stronger smartphone sales. He expects Taiwan’s smartphone sales volume in 2026 to continue growing and confirmed that Samsung currently has no plans to reduce memory capacities in its devices.