Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, founded by Wenfeng Liang, has developed a generative AI (GenAI) service that claims to surpass large language models (LLMs) in the US, such as OpenAI's, with a low-cost, open-source approach that does not rely on advanced GPUs or HBM. With a reported development cost of under US$6 million, DeepSeek developed its V3 model in just two months, positioning itself as one of the most significant disruptors in AI for 2025

Arm China announced on February 6th, 2025 that it has appointed Feng Chen as its new CEO, following the departure of co-CEOs Renchen Liu and Eric Chen. Before this appointment, Feng Chen held key positions at SMIC (Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation), where he served as the Director of the Design Services Department and Head of the Department

The emergence of DeepSeek is reshaping China's AI landscape, signaling a transformational shift in the global AI race. Industry experts believe DeepSeek is not the only "black swan" disrupting Silicon Valley, as China's AI market is brimming with high-potential large language models (LLMs) poised for rapid expansion on the world stage

According to reports from Asahi Shimbun and Reuters, Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida visited Honda's headquarters on the morning of February 6 and informed President Toshihiro Mibe of his decision to cancel the integration talks. Honda had proposed acquiring Nissan as a subsidiary, but as this proposal was not included in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in December 2024, Nissan concluded that the discussions under this plan could not move forward

Amid rising US restrictions on China's tech sector, leading Chinese cloud computing and AI companies are forging alliances with DeepSeek to challenge global industry leaders and expand their footprint in the AI and cloud ecosystem

China has launched an antitrust probe into Google as its first major countermeasure against US President Donald Trump's latest tariffs on Chinese imports. On February 1, 2025, Trump announced a 10% tariff hike on Chinese goods, further intensifying trade tensions between the world's two largest economies

Meta and Google are intensifying their focus on smart glasses development, with 2025 emerging as a crucial year for innovation in this sector

The demand for multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC) is expected to increase significantly in 2025, which will provide a boost to major Taiwan-based passive component companies including Yageo and Walsin Technology, according to industry sources

Rohm Semiconductor has disclosed its consolidated financial results from April to December 2024, revealing a sharp downturn in revenue and profitability. The company's revenue decreased by 3% compared to the same period last year, amounting to JPY344.6 billion(US$2.26 billion). Operating income turned negative, posting a loss of JPY11 billion, while net profit plummeted by 99.5% to a mere JPY200 million

During an earnings call on February 6, 2025, Qualcomm's senior executives highlighted the company's success in premium market segments despite overall smartphone market stagnation. This premiumization trend has been partly influenced by TSMC's recent price adjustments for their 3-nanometer and 4-nanometer products

China's antitrust watchdog is evaluating a possible investigation into Apple's App Store policies and developer fees, a move that could heighten tensions between Beijing and Washington in an escalating trade conflict, according to Bloomberg News and Reuters

Amid successive tariff measures imposed by the US and Chinese governments, automakers are grappling with challenges on multiple fronts

Huawei Chairman Howard Liang announced that 2024 revenue exceeded CNY860 billion (approx. US$118.6 billion) at the Guangdong Provincial Conference on high-quality development, driven by strong ICT infrastructure, a recovering consumer business, and rapid smart EV growth

Murata Manufacturing posted a consolidated operating profit of JPY234.1 billion (US$1.508 billion) for the April–December 2024 period, reflecting an 8.9% increase compared to the same period last year. Net profit rose 15% to JPY201.3 billion, marking the company's first annual profit rebound in three years for this reporting period

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek's introduction of a cost-efficient, open-source AI model is creating a significant impact in the US tech industry, with implications for Taiwan's AI server supply chain. While some industry observers consider this development disruptive, experts view it as a catalyst for AI application development. The emergence of DeepSeek highlights the increasing importance of open-source AI, which is set to accelerate real-world AI deployment and drive the expansion of edge computing solutions