SEMI June 18, 2024
The developments in AI technology have been significant in recent years. In 2016, DeepMind AlphaGo’s victory over a human Go world champion was a significant milestone in the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). Later in 2022, the emergence of ChatGPT 3.5 further strengthened the AI landscape.
Generative AI has been a disruptive innovation, automating the creation of text, images, code, and even videos for computer and smartphone users. This technology is rapidly changing the world and convincing people that its influence is inevitable and will significantly impact how we work and live.
The rapid progress of AI technology can be attributed to increasingly powerful hardware and software, particularly semiconductors, which have facilitated the development of Generative AI and other innovations. Given Taiwan’s leadership in advanced manufacturing, particularly in chip production, the region may be best positioned to drive the expansion of AI.
Demand for high-performance computing (HPC) chips is on the rise due to Generative AI’s reliance on high-speed computing and large-scale data processing. TSMC has already begun volume production of 3nm process technology and is on track to start production of its 2nm process in 2025, positioning the company to continue driving advancements in Generative AI and other high-speed computing applications.
SEMI predicts double-digit semiconductor market revenue growth in 2024 and 2025 and an increase in global semiconductor equipment billings, particularly for advanced logic devices and advanced packaging key to the increasing performance of HPC. Taiwan plays a critical role as a production base for high-performance AI chips, and SEMI anticipates Taiwan to lead in advanced manufacturing investment in the upcoming years.
Taiwan is a comprehensive hub for supporting semiconductor innovations and, by extension, advancements in high-performance applications such as AI. The region’s robust semiconductor industry supply chain encompasses IC design, design services, foundry, memory, advanced packaging, and testing.
In addition to chip production, Taiwan accounts for a staggering 90% of global AI server shipments, according to the Market Intelligence & Consulting Institute (MIC), another competitive advantage for the region, and Taiwanese companies’ share of the global server market, including AI servers, promises continued growth.
Taiwan’s technological innovation and R&D capabilities are also forces to be reckoned with. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has pointed out that AI advances could lead to a new era of doubling in computing power every 18 months ala Moore’s law. With its technological innovation and R&D leadership and ongoing investments in AI and intelligent applications, Taiwan has built a solid foundation for rapid advances in Generative AI.
Generative AI will find its place in a variety of applications, just as it has begun to transform content creation. Segments such as smart manufacturing, healthcare, autonomous driving and life sciences stand to see innovations powered by AI. Taiwan’s technology industry players are ready to work with AI service providers and chip designers to explore new Generative AI applications across any number of fields.
Cooperation across borders will also be key to future AI innovations. Taiwanese companies have long established international partnerships to enable the global development of new technologies, establishing the region as a natural partner for the development of Generative AI technology and applications.
In a talk last year, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang called ChatGPT the iPhone Moment for AI, harkening back to Apple’s 2007 release of the game-changing iPhone, and said he expects a million-fold increase in AI computing power over the next 10 years.
AI advances will only increase in pace and become just as ubiquitous as the iPhone, touching every aspect of our lives as cutting-edge technology also revolutionizes the semiconductor industry. Taiwan, with its strengths in technological development, is an expert at commercializing advanced technologies. By leveraging its existing advantages to drive innovation, Taiwan is in a strong position to help catalyze the new AI-powered industrial revolution.
