Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from the week of September 29–October 5.
Intel & TSMC invest billions to transform Arizona into semiconductor powerhouse
Following TSMC's landmark announcement of a US$165 billion investment to expand its manufacturing footprint in Arizona, an increasing number of tech giants are now following suit. The state—part desert, part mountain—is steadily transforming into a key hub for semiconductor production.
Memory chip prices surge as suppliers hold back inventory; DRAM and NAND expected to rise post-China holiday
After a sluggish August, memory chip prices surged across the board in September, with some products spiking more than 40% in a widespread market rally. The sharp rebound comes as suppliers signal further price hikes and spot market availability tightens.
Hanmi Semiconductor expands to Singapore to support Micron's HBM production
Hanmi Semiconductor has established a new local subsidiary in Singapore to provide on-site support for key customer Micron, according to Korean media reports. As Micron ramps up production in the region, Hanmi plans to station senior engineers locally to deliver faster, more specialized service.
Nvidia falters in China; Huawei moves to fill AI chip vacuum
Huawei is set to significantly boost production of its Ascend AI chips, capitalizing on Nvidia's declining presence in the Chinese market due to tightened US export restrictions and Beijing's push for greater tech self-reliance.
Research insights: Nvidia's US$100 billion OpenAI investment builds closed-loop control of AI cloud market
In September 2025, Nvidia announced a phased investment of up to US$100 billion in partnership with OpenAI, marking one of the most ambitious infrastructure initiatives of the generative AI era. The plan includes the deployment of at least 10 gigawatts of Nvidia-powered server systems to fuel the development of next-generation AI computing platforms. The scale and scope of the collaboration underscore its significance—not only as a major technological undertaking, but also as one of the most notable strategic alliances in the tech industry over the past decade.
OpenAI's massive memory deal with Samsung and SK Hynix signals shift in AI chip supply chain
OpenAI has signed a landmark cooperation agreement with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix to secure high-performance memory components for its ambitious Stargate Project. According to South Korean media reports, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman traveled to Seoul to meet with Samsung Group Chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won. The discussions culminated in the signing of a letter of intent (LOI), laying the groundwork for long-term collaboration on AI infrastructure at unprecedented scale.
Jaguar Land Rover suffers from cyberattack, UK steps in with GBP3.5 billion support
In late August 2025, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) was hit by a major cyberattack that brought down all critical systems within a single day, forcing a halt to production across its global manufacturing network. The disruption dealt a severe blow to the UK's largest automaker, with estimated losses exceeding £70 million (US$93 million) in just 24 hours and a widespread impact on its supply chain.
Article edited by Jack Wu
