China has imposed new export control measures on 40 Japanese entities, placing 20 organizations on its export control list and another 20 on a separate watchlist, citing national security concerns and the need to strengthen oversight of exports of dual-use items.
Competition in China's humanoid robot market is driving down prices for dexterous hands and other key parts, with implications for suppliers and buyers worldwide. Rapid product cycles are forcing cost cuts, while technical barriers, especially in high-precision components, continue to shape which manufacturers can compete globally.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is rolling out a new engineering division aimed at helping companies move beyond experimenting with artificial intelligence and start running it at the core of their operations.
South Korean AI chip designer Rebellions said on June 30 that it is acquiring AI inference optimization company SqueezeBits, as part of an effort to become a full-stack AI infrastructure provider rather than a chip designer alone.
Artificial intelligence is moving from a personal productivity aid into core business operations, and Taiwan is among the global leaders in adoption. Microsoft says local workers are advancing faster than corporate strategy, a gap that could shape how companies worldwide compete, reorganize work, and capture AI-driven gains.
Schneider Electric, the French energy management and automation giant, announced that it has agreed to acquire Cognite, a Norwegian industrial data and AI software company, in an all-cash deal valued at US$3.1 billion. The deal is meant to reinforce the former's software line-up as it positions itself for a future of AI-powered industrial automation.
Chinese manufacturers of grid-connected battery storage systems have reportedly yet to obtain Japan's cybersecurity certification ahead of a new compliance requirement, potentially limiting their participation in one of Asia's fastest-growing energy storage markets.
AI is undergoing a structural realignment. Rising infrastructure costs, shifting monetization models, and government interventions are forcing the industry to rethink its approach.
Japan is making one of its largest AI investments to date, committing up to JPY1 trillion (approx. US$6.2 billion) to support a domestic AI foundation model led by a consortium headed by SoftBank. The move reflects Tokyo's effort to reduce reliance on US and Chinese AI technologies while strengthening its manufacturing competitiveness. According to Nikkei Asia, the five-year project will receive an initial JPY387.3 billion in fiscal 2026, with additional funding tied to development progress.
Synopsys celebrated the 35th anniversary of its Taiwan operations and the opening of its new Hsinchu office on June 15. During the event, Synopsys CEO Sassine Ghazi sat down with DIGITIMES to discuss how agentic AI is transforming electronic design automation (EDA), semiconductor development, and the future of engineering work.
