DIGITIMES Asia: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

Kentec aims to shorten the timeline for AI data center deployment

Elaine Chen — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 22:47:55 GMT

As artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure grows larger and more complex, the challenge is no longer simply building data centers. It is building them fast enough.

Middle East war drives LME aluminum to 4-year high, squeezing chip equipment margins

Lily Hess — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 22:47:44 GMT

Rising global geopolitical risk and tightening supply in some markets have pushed London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminum prices higher in volatile trading, adding cost pressures to industries across electronics components, semiconductor equipment, automobiles, and energy infrastructure.

Acer chair says AI agents could reignite PC demand

Lily Hess — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 22:47:36 GMT

Acer and Taipei Computer Association (TCA) Chairman Jason Chen said Nvidia's AI PCs, designed specifically for agentic AI functions, point to a new usage model in the AI era and could create fresh demand in the PC market. He said the PC industry, which had been stuck in stagnation or decline for years following a pandemic-era boom due to a shift toward working and studying from home, now has a chance to rebound as AI shifts from training to inference.

BYD is building its own chips and looking abroad to make them

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 22:47:26 GMT

China's electric vehicle (EV) makers are increasingly designing their own artificial-intelligence (AI) chips. Manufacturing them, however, remains a more complicated challenge.

Samsung Foundry eyes Anthropic as OpenAI chip project reportedly stalls

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 22:47:19 GMT

Samsung Electronics is seeking to secure major artificial intelligence (AI) logic-chip customers as its reported preliminary work on a custom SoC for OpenAI slows, while Anthropic emerges as another potential opportunity for Samsung Foundry.

GSEO sees CPO business as potential second growth engine from 2027 to 2028

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 22:47:09 GMT

Genius Electronic Optical Co. (GSEO) said on May 29 that its co-packaged optics (CPO) business is moving toward rapid growth in 2027 and 2028, with shipments that could eventually rival smartphone lenses as a second major revenue source.

oToBrite and Turing Drive partner on visual AI for autonomous vehicles

Lily Hess — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 22:46:37 GMT

oToBrite and Turing Drive announced a technology collaboration on June 2 to develop real-world autonomous vehicle applications using vehicle-grade vision AI, which combines oToBrite's automotive cameras and visual AI with Turing Drive's core self-driving system. The companies aim to give global special-purpose vehicles (SPVs) a smarter brain.

Commentary: China shifts exports toward higher-value tech as US trade pressure reshapes supply chains

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 22:46:20 GMT

China moved toward higher-value exports in response to escalating US trade and technology restrictions, reshaping global supply chains and forcing manufacturers to absorb higher costs, executives and research findings showed. The shift, visible in early 2026 trade patterns, came after rounds of US containment measures that began with 2018 tariffs and intensified following the 2025 policy expansion, according to a report commissioned by the Mainland Affairs Council.

MediaTek and Foxtron partner to bring C-X1 AI cockpit platform to premium EVs

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 22:46:08 GMT

MediaTek announced a long-term global collaboration with Foxtron, the Foxconn-backed automotive unit, to deploy the Dimensity Auto Cockpit Platform C-X1 in premium electric vehicles, accelerating AI-enabled smart car development. The agreement, unveiled by the firms, will combine MediaTek’s semiconductor and AI platform capabilities with Foxtron’s EV architecture and manufacturing to deliver scalable smart-cockpit solutions.

Pegatron unveils Vera Rubin AI infrastructure and AI Factory validation at Computex 2026

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 22:45:55 GMT

Pegatron announced a new generation of AI infrastructure products and an AI Factory validation framework at Computex 2026, showcasing the Nvidia Vera Rubin platform, HGX Rubin NVL8, and RTX PRO servers integrated with the Nvidia DSX AI Factory reference design to support design, verification, and deployment from digital twin simulation to mass production. The firm said the portfolio aims to advance AI Factory capabilities for manufacturing customers by combining compute, cooling, and validation workflows.

Delta Electronics bets on microgrids in push for AI-powered energy management

Kevin Wang — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 22:45:43 GMT

The AI arms race is shaping up to be much more than a competition for computing power, with factors such as power supply, grid resilience, and carbon credits all playing a part in the ever-escalating battle.

Intel Foundry makes progress in advance processes, CEO Tan calls TSMC a key partner

Eifeh Strom — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 22:45:24 GMT

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan said Intel Foundry is making steady progress in advanced process technology, adding that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is one of Intel's most important partners. The remarks were made during a global media briefing with several senior executives on June 2.

SK Hynix to double capacity over next 5 years, as Nvidia CEO leaves 'Please make more' note on Computex booth

Eifeh Strom — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 22:45:04 GMT

SK Group chairman Tae-won Chey said SK Hynix plans to double its overall production capacity over the next five years, as strong demand for artificial intelligence (AI) drives a global memory shortage. He added that the expansion is tied to deeper cooperation with Taiwan's semiconductor and IT supply chains, particularly through a strategic alliance with foundry leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).

Display to semiconductor: Panel makers weaponize large glass substrates for FOPLP

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 08:23:26 GMT

Panel makers' FOPLP strategies vary, with Innolux being the most active. AUO utilizes RDL technology to develop emerging applications such as satellite antennas.

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan anchors AI comeback on 18A, x86, and Taiwan ties at Computex 2026

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 08:04:52 GMT

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan used his Computex 2026 keynote in Taipei to frame Intel's AI-era reset around execution, infrastructure, and deeper ties with Taiwan's PC and semiconductor supply chain.

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan's Computex keynote: 1,000 steps up Elephant Mountain and a live demo with Perplexity's CEO

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 07:26:21 GMT

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan opened his Computex 2026 keynote in Taipei on June 2 with a personal note that set him apart from every Intel CEO before him.

Samsung signals broader AI memory deployment with HBM5 roadmap and thermal tech

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 07:16:24 GMT

Samsung Electronics has used Computex 2026 to outline a broader AI memory strategy, highlighting HBM5, thermal management, and advanced packaging as it prepares for next-generation AI systems. The company also pointed to deeper alignment across memory, foundry, logic, and packaging.

AI PCs and low-end MacBooks stir weak notebook market

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 07:12:14 GMT

The global notebook market is entering a new phase of competition as AI-driven products reshape demand, even as the broader recovery has fallen short of expectations. Apple is pressuring the low end with the MacBook Neo, while Nvidia is moving upmarket with the RTX Spark high-end AI PC.

Qisda deepens AI push as it eyes rebound in 2026

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 07:03:05 GMT

Qisda Corporation is accelerating its AI strategy across its core businesses, with chairman Peter Chen saying the technology is still in its early stages but is already reshaping daily life and will have a greater impact over the next decade.

Valeo builds second growth engine in AI data centers, robotics and defense as E/EA transition slows

Willis Ke — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 06:48:19 GMT

As Europe and the US fall short of expectations for the automotive electrical/electronic architecture (E/EA) transition, traditional tier-1 suppliers are accelerating diversification efforts to offset slowing automotive growth. Among them, France-based Valeo, one of the world's top-15 automotive parts suppliers, is leveraging its automotive expertise to expand into faster-growing sectors including AI data center infrastructure, defense, robotics and small-mobility solutions.

Strong AI token demand will continue to drive hardware shipments, says TAITRA chair

Kevin Wang — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 06:45:00 GMT

COMPUTEX 2026 is underway in Taipei, and this year's edition has distinguished itself with an unusually dense lineup of top tech company CEOs on the speakers' roster, according to Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) chairman James Huang.

Agentic computing could reshape data centers, PCs, robots, and vehicles, says Nvidia CEO

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 06:44:28 GMT

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the computing industry is entering an era of "agentic computing," in which data centers, personal computers, autonomous vehicles, humanoid robots, and satellite systems will share a common AI architecture. He framed the shift as a broad reworking of how future devices will operate.

EVE Energy ends six-year partnership with SK On

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 06:40:22 GMT

A six-year battery partnership that once symbolized cross-border cooperation between China and South Korea is coming to an end, reflecting broader shifts in the global energy industry.

South Korea cuts EUV equipment approvals to speed Samsung and SK Hynix expansion

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 06:38:20 GMT

South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy announced on June 2, 2026, that it would sharply streamline domestic approval procedures for extreme ultraviolet equipment used in semiconductor fabrication, reducing installation lead times from 34 days to 9 days to accelerate advanced production lines. The ministry said the change reclassifies EUV tools from high-pressure gas manufacturing facilities to a new "specific equipment" category after a partial revision to the Enforcement Decree of the High-Pressure Gas Safety Control Act.

Ennoconn expects AI business to surpass NT$10 billion in 2026

Rodney Chan — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 06:30:00 GMT

Ennoconn, a Taiwan-based industrial PC (IPC) vendor, said on June 1 at a forum in Taipei that its physical AI business is expected to exceed NT$10 billion (US$318.93 million) in 2026, as it deepens ties with Austria-based smart IoT solutions supplier Kontron and expands commercialization. The company said the partnership could generate an additional NT$10 billion in synergies by 2028.

Anthropic files confidential paperwork for IPO, racing ahead of OpenAI

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 06:27:23 GMT

Anthropic announced that it has filed confidential paperwork to go public on June 1 to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, pulling ahead of rival OpenAI for now in the IPO race. The number of shares on offer and the stock price have yet to be decided.

Nvidia's N1X chip adds pressure to x86 PCs as AI demand reshapes the market

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 06:15:00 GMT

Nvidia's new N1X processor, developed with MediaTek, signals a broader shift in PC computing as AI agents gain traction worldwide. The Arm-based chip could boost supply choices, intensify competition with Intel and AMD, and reshape demand patterns across notebooks, servers, and consumer devices.

TSMC races to expand AI chip capacity while CPO and CoWoS move to center stage

Levi Li — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 06:15:00 GMT

Nvidia GTC Taipei opened on June 1 with a packed keynote by CEO Jensen Huang, who kicked off the event by unveiling the widely watched Taiwan supply chain board.

Marvell CEO says copper wall is moving inside the rack, and co-packaged optics is the only way through

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 06:06:19 GMT

On the first day of Computex 2026 in Taipei, Marvell Technology CEO Matt Murphy made a pointed argument to an audience of industry insiders: the next major bottleneck in AI infrastructure is not compute or memory; it is connectivity.

Analysis: RTX Spark expands PC ecosystem rather than rivaling it

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 06:04:35 GMT

Nvidia used GTC Taipei on June 1, 2026, to unveil RTX Spark, also known as N1X, a new AI PC system-on-chip designed for native AI agent workloads rather than mainstream Windows PCs. The chip appears designed to fill a gap in consumer hardware that cannot reliably handle local, autonomous AI tasks.

Unimicron's new chair refocuses resources on AI substrate bottleneck

Sherri Wang — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Unimicron Technology has completed a full board re-election, with newly appointed chairman SC Chien formally taking charge as the IC substrate supplier prepares for a new phase of PCB demand driven by AI.

Power Integrations unveils 1700V GaN auxiliary PSU for AI data centers

Charlene Chen — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 05:49:07 GMT

Power Integrations (PI) has announced two ultra-thin, compact auxiliary power supply (PSU) reference designs built for 800VDC AI data centers. PI principal training engineer Jason Yan said the ultra-compact solution, designed for Nvidia Kyber liquid-cooled blade-rack systems, uses a highly integrated GaN design that saves 30% of PCB space and reduces component count by 30% compared with conventional silicon carbide (SiC) solutions.

Foxconn expands AI role with token factories, robotics, and global data centers

Jingyue Hsiao — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 05:45:00 GMT

Foxconn Technology Group used COMPUTEX 2026 to present a broader AI infrastructure push, signaling a move beyond AI server supply and into token factory services. The company highlighted its "3+3+3" transformation strategy spanning manufacturing, platform applications, robotics, healthcare, and space-related computing.

Intel unveils Xeon 6+ to power agentic AI inference, challenges GPU-centric infrastructure

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 04:42:53 GMT

Intel is expanding its data center portfolio with new Xeon 6+ processors, Ethernet E835 networking products, and fresh details on its Crescent Island AI accelerator, positioning the CPU as a central control point for the next phase of AI infrastructure.

ASE CEO says Taiwan's semiconductor ecosystem took 40 years to build — and will take years to replicate

DIGITIMES — Tue, 2 Jun 2026 04:27:33 GMT

When Marvell CEO Matt Murphy asked ASE Group CEO Tien Wu what makes Taiwan's technology ecosystem unique — and why it is so hard to replicate elsewhere — the answer was less about technology than about time.