India is poised to become a strategic partner for the US in the semiconductor industry due to its demographics, market potential, and software talent. Emerging markets like Vietnam and Mexico are set to benefit from the shifting US-China relationship, while Singapore and Malaysia attract foreign investment in semiconductors. Canada and Australia could play significant roles in talent training amid a global semiconductor talent shortage. The article highlights the strategic importance of various countries in the evolving global semiconductor landscape.

President-Elect Lai Ching-te of Taiwan pledges full support for the semiconductor industry, emphasizing its global importance and Taiwan's role in the supply chain. He advocates for maintaining the status quo with China and promoting cross-strait cooperation. Lai's exclusion of nuclear energy from future policies poses challenges for the energy-intensive semiconductor sector. The US Department of Commerce will visit Taiwan to discuss regulatory compliance with local manufacturers. Industry experts express concerns over renewable energy shortfalls and geopolitical tensions affecting the semiconductor industry.

The article discusses the evolution of the semiconductor industry from the 1970s to the present, highlighting Taiwan's significant role in the global electronics market. It emphasizes Taiwan's reliable partnership with successful software companies and its competitive advantage in the electronics industry due to early development compared to emerging countries. The piece also touches on the shift from a linear supply chain to a value chain, with Taiwanese companies like AUO and Qisda innovating and diversifying. The article suggests that Taiwan's economic scale, mass production system, capital advantage, and management experience make it a 'harmless partner' in the global market.

Taiwan's semiconductor industry has evolved significantly over the past half-century, driven by strategic decisions and favorable international conditions. The industry's growth is likened to principles from Sun Tzu's 'The Art of War,' emphasizing strategic surprise and leveraging external conditions. Key milestones include the rise of Intel and Microsoft in the PC industry, the impact of the iPhone, and the shift from globalization to de-globalization influenced by the US-China trade war. Taiwan's success is attributed to its strategic use of limited resources, timely development of high-tech industries, and favorable geopolitical conditions.

By 2030, the 'Silicon Era' will see intense competition among industrial nations driven by advancements in electric vehicles, connected cars, and AI. The US-China Trade War has led to increased investments in semiconductor supply chains, with geopolitical pressures influencing costs and competition. Key players like TSMC, Samsung, and Intel are strategizing to maintain or gain leadership. Taiwan's ICT supply chain is crucial, and the global semiconductor landscape will be shaped by national industrial strategies and supply chain restructuring. The article emphasizes Taiwan's stabilizing role in the global industrial order and explores future trends and challenges in the semiconductor industry.

Simon Min Sze, a seminal figure in the semiconductor industry, was commemorated in Taiwan by industry leaders and colleagues. Known for inventing the floating-gate MOSFET, Sze's work underpinned the development of flash memory. His teachings at National Chiao-Tung University inspired a generation of engineers and contributed to Taiwan's technological advancement. Despite his humble nature, Sze's legacy includes numerous accolades and a profound impact on the global semiconductor industry.

China's dominance as the sole smartphone manufacturing hub is waning, with significant production shifts to India and Southeast Asia due to the US-China trade war. India is emerging as a global hub for RISC-V chip design, driven by startups like InCore Semiconductors. SMIC is set to open a major 12-inch wafer fab in Shanghai, bolstering China's semiconductor capabilities. Despite softened US export curbs, China faces challenges in acquiring advanced HBMs. Qualcomm is projected to dominate the GenAI smartphone chip market, while Huawei's upcoming Nova 12 smartphone is rumored to feature advanced 7nm Kirin 9000S processors.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by removing four Chinese entities from the Unverified List (UVL) after verifying their bona fides. However, 13 new Chinese entities have been added to the UVL under the Biden Administration's policy, which mandates additional due diligence for US companies exporting to these entities. The UVL serves as a tool to prevent the export of sensitive US-made goods or technology to potentially hostile countries, with comprehensive restrictions on China's semiconductor and chip manufacturing equipment exports to prevent military use.

TSMC announced that Chairman Mark Liu will retire after the 2024 Annual Shareholders Meeting. The board's Nominating, Corporate Governance and Sustainability Committee recommends CEO C.C. Wei to succeed Liu as Chairman, pending the election of the incoming board in June 2024. Liu, who joined TSMC in 1993 and became Chairman in 2018, has been instrumental in TSMC's investments in the United States, Japan, and Germany. The company has not yet disclosed a candidate to succeed Wei as CEO.

Huawei plans to manufacture 1 billion 5G devices annually for the European market in Alsace, France, starting in 2025, creating 300 direct jobs. The US's updated semiconductor export controls are unlikely to stop China's industry development, according to DIGITIMES Research. Huawei also intends to launch 'disruptive' products in 2024, including HarmonyOS-native applications. Nvidia has placed rush orders with TSMC for China-bound AI processors, with fulfillment starting in Q1 2024. Cybersecurity concerns in the semiconductor industry are highlighted by NXP's network breach and TSMC's production halt due to a cyberattack. SEMI forecasts global semiconductor equipment sales to reach a record $124 billion in 2025. Microsoft is reportedly pivoting from H100 to B100 GPUs in 2024 amidst the AI arms race.

Huawei's Deputy General Manager of Huawei France, Minggang Zhang, announced the construction of Huawei's first overseas factory in Alsace, France, aiming to produce 1 billion 5G products annually for the European market, creating 500 jobs. Despite a 30% revenue loss from US sanctions, Huawei has increased R&D investments, claiming self-sufficiency in chips. The company is diversifying into automotive systems, cloud computing, and sustainable energy solutions. Huawei is not exiting the European 5G market and continues to work with French operators SFR and Bouygues, while collaborating with ANSSI to meet security standards.

The article provides a roundup of the most-read tech stories from December 4-8, 2023. Key highlights include the installation of approximately 1,400 ASML machines in China, with limited application for advanced chip fabrication. Huawei's new notebook features a 5nm chip likely stockpiled before the US ban. Samsung and SK Hynix will supply HBM3 for AWS's Trainium 2 AI training chip. Western Digital plans to raise NAND flash prices by up to 55%. China's Big Fund II has injected $1 billion into HLMC to aid advanced chip development. AMD is set to ship up to 400,000 new AI GPUs in 2024, and Nvidia views Huawei as a formidable competitor.

Julian Prower, COO of Dun & Bradstreet, discusses the significant impact of AI-driven data analysis on predicting and mitigating supply chain disruptions. Highlighting geopolitical developments, such as the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Panama Canal drought, Prower emphasizes the need for businesses to proactively address potential disruptions. He underscores the importance of understanding the interconnected nature of supply chains and the role of ESG considerations. D&B's advanced analytics provide companies with forward-looking insights to enhance preparedness and resilience, particularly in the face of evolving trade policies and cybersecurity challenges.

Taiwan's National Technology and Science Council (NTSC) has included advanced semiconductor manufacturing technology under 14nm in a list of 22 key core technologies banned from illegal outflows to foreign adversaries. Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs, Wang Mei-hua, assured that existing investments in China by semiconductor foundry manufacturers will not be affected. The NTSC and National Science Council (NSC) have implemented measures to prevent technology leaks, including amendments to the National Security Act and Cross-Strait Relations Act. The NSC emphasized the importance of protecting Taiwan's key technologies while balancing economic security and scientific development.

Qidni Labs, a Canadian startup founded by Morteza Ahmadi, aims to revolutionize dialysis technology by making it more accessible and affordable. The company is developing a portable hemodialysis machine that requires minimal water and can be used anywhere, addressing significant global challenges in dialysis care. Qidni Labs is also focused on reducing the cost of treatment, making it more affordable for patients, especially in emerging markets. The company is currently in the clinical stage of development and plans to expand its team and seek regulatory approvals in various countries. Ahmadi envisions using the technology in diverse scenarios, including emergencies and battlefield situations, and sees potential collaborations with Taiwanese companies for manufacturing. Qidni Labs is preparing for its Series A funding round in early 2024 to further its research and development efforts.

The US trade sanctions have significantly impacted Micron and GlobalFoundries, with Chinese customers willing to pay premiums for equipment. TSMC's restrictions benefit SMIC, though advanced chip production remains costly. China's aggressive recruitment from South Korea raises alarms, while SMEE's IPO and job offers highlight China's EUV development efforts. SMIC's profits heavily rely on subsidies, and Xanadu's CTO discusses the future of quantum computing with silicon photonics. Samsung shifts its investment focus to 3-nanometer technology at its Taylor, TX plant.

Dignity Health, a Catholic hospital system, has filed lawsuits against several California patients and their advocates for allegedly refusing to be discharged, accusing them of trespassing under a California law originally intended to prevent anti-abortion protesters from blocking access to health facilities. The suits claim the patients caused 'commercial blockade' by occupying hospital beds, disrupting services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient advocates and relatives argue the patients were waiting for appropriate and affordable care. The lawsuits could set precedents for the use of the commercial blockade statute and the handling of hospital discharge disagreements. The California Hospital Association cites discharge delays as a costly issue, while patient advocates fear a chilling effect on their profession. Dignity Health, which does not comment on pending litigation, is also suing patient advocates Carol Costa-Smith and Craig Smedley. The outcome of these cases could influence future hospital-patient disputes and the role of patient advocates.

Taiwan Yingmi Technology introduced a sign language translator glove at the Computex trade show in Taipei, which aims to help the deaf communicate with the general public. The glove, developed over two years, uses sensors and AI to translate sign language into spoken words through a smartphone app. The technology was developed in collaboration with NTUS and TTRI. The company is selling developer kits and plans to expand the technology's application to VR gaming and education, including preserving traditional glove puppetry.