Below are the top DIGITIMES Asia stories from October 6 to 12, 2025.
China accelerates DUV lithography breakthroughs with patents and testing
China is accelerating the development of domestic deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography to counter US export controls. Yuliangsheng's 28nm immersion DUV machine is undergoing tests at SMIC, while SMEE has patented a beam adjustment device that enhances mirror rotation precision, improving chip pattern accuracy and yield. The patent marks progress toward refining China's DUV optics and alignment systems, potentially narrowing the gap with ASML's technology.
Potential Intel-AMD partnership reshapes semiconductor landscape
Intel and AMD are in discussions over a potential foundry partnership that could reshape the global semiconductor industry and advance US efforts to strengthen domestic chip production. The move would mark a significant step for Intel's foundry business if it secures orders from longtime rival AMD, signaling confidence in Intel's manufacturing capabilities and aligning with Washington's push to reduce reliance on overseas suppliers.
Arm CEO Rene Haas recalls Nvidia's bold exit from Intel chip support during his time working with Jensen Huang
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang continues to capture attention in the generative AI era, with industry leaders crediting his bold decisions for transforming the company's direction. At the All-In Summit 2025, Arm CEO Rene Haas recalled how Huang once shut down a major Nvidia project and reassigned 2,000 engineers from developing Intel companion chips to focus on graphics and Arm-based architecture, a move Haas said defined Nvidia's rise.
From rival to partner: how AMD found its answer to the Nvidia-Intel pact
AMD has signed a multi-year AI chip supply agreement with OpenAI that could generate up to US$100 billion in revenue by 2030 and give OpenAI the option to acquire about a 10% stake in AMD through performance-based stock warrants. Under the deal, OpenAI will deploy up to 6GW of AMD Instinct GPUs for its next-generation AI infrastructure, starting with a 1GW rollout powered by the upcoming MI450 chips in 2026. The partnership strengthens AMD's position in the AI ecosystem and counters Nvidia's recent alliance with Intel aimed at reinforcing its dominance in data center markets.
Nvidia rival reportedly plans US$1.3B investment and new research hub in India
Graphcore, the British AI chipmaker owned by SoftBank Group, is planning a GBP1 billion (approx. US$1.3 billion) investment in India that includes establishing a new research hub in Bengaluru, according to Bloomberg. The announcement is expected to align with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to India this week and represents Graphcore's largest expansion since its 2024 acquisition by SoftBank. The company plans to hire up to 500 employees over the next five years to strengthen its AI hardware research and development.
Semicon West relocation doubles attendance as US chip investment surges
SEMICON West 2025 was held in Phoenix for the first time, marking a major shift as the city emerges as the new center of US chip manufacturing. The event saw a 45% rise in exhibitors and double the first-day attendance compared with 2024, reflecting strong global interest in Arizona's growing semiconductor ecosystem led by TSMC's US$165 billion investment. SEMI projected global 12-inch wafer fab equipment spending to reach US$374 billion between 2026 and 2028, driven by AI demand and efforts toward regionalized chip production.
Nvidia's stake in Intel raises PC supply chain concerns
Acer chairman and CEO Jason Chen said the real issue behind Nvidia's investment in Intel is not its impact on TSMC but the new complexity it brings to the PC ecosystem. With the possibility of more than two x86 CPU suppliers and multiple generations of processors in play, Chen warned that procurement and inventory management for PC brands will become increasingly challenging. He plans to visit Intel and possibly Nvidia later this year to assess the situation, noting that Nvidia's rise as the world's largest processor company marks a major shift from the previous open ecosystem.
Article edited by Jack Wu
