As global competition in artificial intelligence (AI) intensifies, the US-China rivalry has expanded beyond chips and models to include the competition for talent and education integration.
Due to the slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) demand and intensified competition in the battery market, South Korea’s major battery manufacturers LG Energy Solutions (LGES), SK On, and Samsung SDI have shown lackluster performance. However, as global IT and automotive companies actively invest in the humanoid robot industry, batteries dedicated to humanoid robots are poised to become a key factor in reversing this trend.
Since launching its T1 wearable chip in May 2025, Xiaomi has intensified competition in the smartwatch market, raising concerns among chip design partners. The move mirrors Apple and Samsung’s strategy of using self-developed SoCs to secure greater control, optimize performance, and break into the high-end wearable segment.
South Korean president Lee Jae-myung has pledged to invest KRW100 trillion (US$73.9 billion) in AI development to make the country the third-largest AI power after the US and China. Lee is also turning to technocrats for three of the key positions in his new administration to lead his AI campaign.
Amazon is accelerating its warehouse automation strategy as the global number of warehouse robots surpasses one million, nearing parity with the company’s workforce. Over 75% of Amazon’s orders worldwide are now processed with robotic assistance, highlighting the increasing reliance on automation in its fulfillment operations.
By the first quarter of 2025, hyperscalers operated 1,189 data centers, representing 44% of global data center capacity, according to Synergy Research Group. This share is expected to rise to 61% by 2030, reflecting ongoing shifts in the data center landscape driven by cloud and AI developments.
Malaysia has revised its electricity tariff structure, resulting in a sharper-than-expected rise in power costs that is prompting data center operators to reassess their expenses as Malaysia has emerged as a data center hub thanks to favorable geographic and policy factors.