China launches ‘human wave strategy’ for R&D, poaching top-level South Korean scholars

Reports indicate that many outstanding South Korean research scholars have been moving to Chinese universities. These experts hold world-class authority in foundational fields of cutting-edge technologies such as semiconductors, batteries, and quantum computing—areas marked by intense global competition. It signals that, amid escalating US-China rivalry for advanced technology supremacy, China is actively recruiting top South Korean talent to accelerate its R&D efforts.

Continue reading

Decoupling from China and local policies drive Taiwan and South Korea battery firms to seize SEA opportunities

Amid geopolitical tensions, tariff adjustments, and regulatory pressures from the US, battery supply chain players state that Southeast Asian customers are reducing their reliance on Chinese-made batteries. Instead, they are seeking alternatives from South Korea, Taiwan, and other regions, fueling a new wave of business opportunities for companies like Samsung SDI and Formosa Smart Energy.

Continue reading

Google sees cloud demand surpass capacity, AI now powers over 30% of code development

Despite recent reports suggesting a slowdown in US data center expansion, Alphabet, Google’s parent company, has reaffirmed the strength of its cloud business. The company emphasized that customer demand continues to exceed existing capacity, while the share of internal software development assisted by AI has risen from 25% to more than 30%.

Continue reading

iPhone 17 stocking begins: 10% YoY shipment decline estimated

The Trump administration’s aggressive and unpredictable tariff policies have cast a shadow over economic development. Apple’s supply chain revealed that the company recently completed the first phase of iPhone 17’s Engineering Validation Test (EVT). Although Apple has not yet confirmed any full-year shipment cuts, most suppliers remain conservative, with the most cautious estimates projecting a 10% year-over-year reduction.

Continue reading

Flex bolsters US manufacturing to power data center boom

Flex has ramped up its US manufacturing capacity to address the escalating demand for data center power solutions, driven by the AI boom. The company announced a significant expansion of its facility in Columbia, South Carolina, which now dedicates 134,000 square feet to producing critical power products like databar, power distribution units (PDUs), and remote power panels (RPPs). This move aims to shorten lead times for US data center operators grappling with the power needs of compute-intensive AI applications.

Continue reading

DeepSeek returns to South Korea, challenges local AI giants despite privacy concerns

Reuters reports that DeepSeek, a Chinese generative artificial intelligence firm previously embroiled in controversy over excessive personal data collection, has partially adopted South Korea’s regulatory recommendations. After a two-month suspension of new downloads, the company has reinstated its services, allowing South Korean users to once again access DeepSeek via app stores. Observers note that DeepSeek’s return poses competitive challenges to domestic firms as US tech giants intensify efforts to capture market share in South Korea.

Continue reading