At the 2025 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), Chinese AI chipmakers announced major advances in high-end chip design, manufacturing, and deployment. Lisuan Tech introduced its first self-developed GPU, the 7G106, while Shenzhen-based Intellifusion outlined a new AI inference chip roadmap. The developments reflect China's broader push to build a homegrown AI compute ecosystem and reduce reliance on global semiconductor leaders
As global demand for alternative battery technologies grows, sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a promising contender in the next phase of energy storage innovation. Yet while Chinese firms are moving swiftly to commercialize the technology, South Korea's major battery manufacturers remain firmly in the research phase, raising concerns that the country may be falling behind in the next key battleground for battery dominance
As demand for computing power accelerates alongside the rise of large-scale and multimodal AI models, China is ramping up efforts to expand its homegrown AI infrastructure
Humanoid robots dominated the spotlight at this week's World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai. According to Chinese outlets TMTPost and Chinastarmarket.cn, the 2025 event featured over 80 robotics firms — among them Ubtech Robotics, Faraday Technology, DEEP Robotics, Leju Robot, Engine AI, X Square Robot, and Proto-Sentient Intelligence (Psi-Robot) — showcasing more than 60 humanoid models, up sharply from just 18 in 2024
Samsung Electronics has landed a next-generation AI chip order from Tesla, a deal seen as a potential inflection point for its lagging foundry business. The deal involves Tesla's AI6 chip, which will be built using Samsung's advanced 2nm process technology, and could help the South Korean firm claw back ground it has ceded to industry leader TSMC
The US has introduced an AI Action Plan emphasizing the expansion of open-source artificial intelligence models as a core strategy to compete globally with China. The plan also aims to export comprehensive AI technology stacks to allied nations and promote the embedding of American values in AI development
Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jae-yong departed for Washington, DC, on July 29 in a bid to bolster South Korea's final efforts to avert a 25% reciprocal tariff from the US. The visit marks Lee's first official international trip since his acquittal and signals a return to the global stage just ahead of the August 1 tariff negotiation deadline
After extensive negotiations, US-Japan trade talks have concluded with a significant development in tariffs on Japanese automobiles. The overall tariff rate on Japanese cars will be reduced from the current 27.5% to 15%. While this move benefits Japanese automakers, related suppliers say that although the tariff reduction is confirmed, detailed implementation plans remain undisclosed. As a result, there has been no immediate increase in orders from Japanese clients
China has developed more than 1,500 AI models, comprising approximately 40% of the 3,755 AI models worldwide, according to data from the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and reported by state media Xinhua News Agency. This milestone highlights China's significant role in AI development, with platforms like LMArena recognizing some of the most capable open-source AI models as Chinese creations
Chinese robotics startup Unitree Robotics has launched its latest humanoid robot, the R1, at just CNY39,000 (US$5,430) — the lowest price to date in China's humanoid robot market. The company is reinforcing China's broader push to bring high-performance, low-cost robots into the consumer mainstream, narrowing the gap between industrial automation and everyday accessibility
India's Economic Times reports that Wistron Group plans to invest about INR10 billion (US$115.30 million) to establish an electronics manufacturing plant in Telangana, targeting servers, routers, and switches production. However, industry sources suggest the investment might be from a Wistron subsidiary, not the parent company
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has confirmed that the company's next-generation autonomous driving chip, the AI6, will be manufactured by Samsung Electronics at its Texas-based foundry. The KRW22.8 trillion (US$16.5 billion) deal strengthens Samsung's US foundry operations and signals a strategic move to elevate its position in the global automotive semiconductor market
The US recently introduced its AI Action Plan, featuring about 90 recommendations to guide AI development. Chinese experts strongly criticize it, viewing the plan not just as a technical guide but as a strategic effort to rally allies against China's AI growth and maintain US technological dominance
The latest smartphone sales data has revealed that despite facing multiple sanctions, Huawei delivered an impressive performance in China during the second quarter of 2025, reclaiming the top spot in smartphone sales
Rising Qualcomm chip prices and improving Exynos yield rates have prompted Samsung to consider using its in-house Exynos 2600 in the 2026 Galaxy S26 base model. South Korean industry sources say the move depends on whether yield stability can be achieved
