DIGITIMES: News and Insight of the Global Supply Chain

TSMC: JASM utilities back to normal, equipment calibration underway; construction resumes

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 12:46:04 GMT

TSMC on Wednesday issued its third statement since a magnitude 7 earthquake struck Kumamoto, Japan on July 28, saying that utility systems at its JASM wafer fab are operating normally, equipment inspection and calibration are in progress, and construction at the site of its second Kumamoto fab has resumed.

Coretronic reports first-half loss as margins weaken and demand stays uneven

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:48:14 GMT

Coretronic said its first-half 2026 performance turned negative as margin pressure and weaker profitability offset a second-quarter revenue recovery. The Taiwanese electronics maker said it would respond cautiously to market changes while focusing on its core businesses, product mix, market position, and technology development.

Inventec plans NT$18.128 billion capacity expansion in Taiwan, Thailand, Texas

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:43:12 GMT

Inventec said it would expand manufacturing capacity in Taiwan, Thailand, and the US with total spending of NT$18.128 billion. The ODM maker outlined new plants, facility upgrades, and related investments aimed at supporting ongoing production growth and future customer orders.

Taiwan sets non-China supply chain as key requirement for Presidential Cup Drone Competition

Eifeh Strom — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:39:32 GMT

Taiwan's Office of the President announced the rules for the Presidential Cup 2026 Drone Competition on July 28, aiming to cultivate talent in technology applications, encourage industry investment in research and development, promote industrial upgrading, and support Taiwan's economic development.

Coretronic Intelligent Logistics plans AI logistics demo at AI Wave Show 2026

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:39:22 GMT

Coretronic Intelligent Logistics said generative AI and agentic AI technology are pushing smart logistics beyond process automation and toward autonomous decision-making. The company said it will present next-generation industrial AI applications under the theme "AI-driven smart logistics and manufacturing automation" at AI Wave Show 2026.

Faraday lifts revenue on ASIC and MCU demand as AI delays push projects back

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:39:13 GMT

Faraday Technology reported stronger-than-expected second quarter 2026 results, with consolidated revenue rising to NT$3.31 billion and net profit reaching NT$200 million. The ASIC design services and silicon IP provider said the improvement came from higher volume production in ASIC and microcontroller (MCU) businesses, along with continued growth in intellectual property licensing.

Quanta buys AUO Taoyuan factory for NT$19.7B to expand AI server capacity

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 08:39:05 GMT

Quanta has agreed to buy AUO's Taoyuan factory in Guishan Hwa Ya Park for NT$19.7 billion, moving to add server production capacity as its Taiwan lines run at full utilization. The new capacity is expected to enter mass production in the second half of 2027.

Aewin expands AMD EPYC 9006 server lineup for AI, storage and enterprise workloads

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:53:32 GMT

Aewin Technologies has introduced a four-product server lineup built around AMD's newly launched EPYC 9006 processor family, targeting AI, general-purpose computing and storage workloads. The launch comes as demand for server architectures continues to fragment across training, inference, enterprise IT and data storage use cases.

China's glass substrate supply chain takes shape for AI chip packaging

Levi Li — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:38:54 GMT

Intel's recent memorandum of understanding with Lens Technology to collaborate on through-glass via (TGV) advanced packaging has been widely viewed as an important step towards the industrialisation of glass core substrates.

Nvidia's Jensen Huang warns US officials about banning Chinese open-weight models

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 07:20:28 GMT

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang once again voiced his support for open-weight and open-source AI, a form of model that has caught official attention in Washington after the release of the powerful Kimi K3 model from Chinese startup Moonshot AI. His comments added another voice to the ongoing debate over closed-source versus open-source approaches as the US considers restrictions on Chinese AI.

China's GenAI race shifts to open source ecosystems

Charlene Chen — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:52:52 GMT

The global GenAI race has remained intense, with major US players including Google, Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and OpenAI investing heavily. But with Beijing-based startup Moonshot AI launching Kimi K3, a new large language model (LLM) with multimodal and long-context reasoning capabilities, along with the rapid rise of DeepSeek, Alibaba's Qwen, and Z.ai's GLM models, China is increasingly outlining a new competitive model centered on open-source AI ecosystems and large-scale commercial deployment.

White House reportedly approaches final framework for reviewing frontier models

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:30:14 GMT

The US government is said to be close to creating a final version of a voluntary framework for evaluating AI companies' advanced models before they are released to the public. A finalized framework could clear up weeks of uncertainty, but for now many questions about it remain, such as the exact review process, what counts as a frontier model, and whether it is truly voluntary after all.

Intel Foundry completes US microelectronics prototype program

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:30:00 GMT

Intel Foundry has completed a US defense-backed semiconductor prototype program that could have implications for supply chain resilience, national security, and global access to advanced chips. The work, tied to Intel 18A technology, aims to expand trusted domestic manufacturing and could shape how allied governments approach secure chip production.

Analysis: What Seagate's blowout quarter signals about the next two years of AI infrastructure demand

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 05:49:18 GMT

Seagate's fiscal fourth quarter was by almost every measure its strongest in over a decade — US$3.6 billion in revenue, US$1.1 billion in free cash flow, and gross margins pushing toward 53%. But for supply chain watchers, the more important story is what the results reveal about where demand is heading, who is driving it, and how the hardware ecosystem needs to prepare.

Kumamoto quake hits electronics cluster, but impact remains concentrated in inspection-related stoppages

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 05:45:00 GMT

Electronics suppliers across Japan's Kumamoto semiconductor cluster halted production, evacuated employees, or began safety inspections after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the prefecture at 4:27 p.m. on July 28.

NXP finds new AI data center role beyond GPUs

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 04:44:16 GMT

NXP Semiconductors' physical AI strategy extends beyond vehicles, factories and robots. The same control, connectivity and real-time processing capabilities are also giving the company a larger role in AI data center infrastructure, where it is targeting the systems that manage networking, cooling, security and power around increasingly complex accelerator platforms.

SK Hynix keeps US and Japan expansion options open despite KRW40T capex plan

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 04:38:33 GMT

SK Hynix is advancing a high-KRW40s trillion capital expenditure plan for 2026 to expand AI memory capacity, but has stopped short of committing to new production investments in the US or Japan. The company said future overseas expansion decisions will depend on business feasibility, infrastructure availability, semiconductor ecosystems, and customer needs as it builds a flexible global manufacturing footprint.

US blocks new foreign-made robots and power inverters in AI security crackdown

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 04:24:29 GMT

The US has barred new foreign-produced advanced robots and power inverters from receiving regulatory approval, extending its technology restrictions into two industries considered critical to artificial intelligence, energy infrastructure and industrial automation.

Column: Taiwan suppliers' path into US Space Force supply chain

Rodney Chan — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 04:22:05 GMT

As the debate over the US fiscal 2027 defense spending plan to dismantle the Space Development Agency (SDA) continues, the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture's (PWSA) transport layer is concentrating around SpaceX, seemingly narrowing the door for suppliers. In reality, however, it marks a shift in the business focus from selling a batch of satellites to supplying continuous replacement components and terminal opportunities that are still up for grabs.

NXP sees physical AI entering a decade-long adoption cycle

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 04:06:21 GMT

NXP Semiconductors' latest earnings call revealed more than another set of quarterly results. With the financial figures already widely reported, the more important takeaway was management's outlook on physical AI, software-defined vehicles and the company's expanding role in AI data-centre infrastructure.

Moonshot AI reportedly eyes more Nvidia Blackwell chips for Kimi K4 despite US export curbs

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 03:39:57 GMT

Chinese AI startup Moonshot AI is planning its next frontier model, Kimi K4, and is seeking additional access to Nvidia's advanced Blackwell GPUs despite US export restrictions intended to keep such chips out of China, according to The Information. The report says K4 would be significantly larger than the recently launched Kimi K3, underscoring the growing computing demands of China's leading AI developers.

China's first home-grown immersion DUV production reveals real test beyond prototypes

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 03:33:32 GMT

China has begun producing domestically developed immersion deep-ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machines, moving a critical semiconductor-equipment programme beyond prototypes and towards limited commercial deployment.

Corning bets on SiPh and CPO to drive AI data center growth

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 03:23:16 GMT

Corning expects AI infrastructure to become an increasingly powerful growth engine, outlining how its glass technologies will move beyond traditional optical fiber and into silicon photonics (SiPh) and co-packaged optics (CPO) for next-generation AI data centers.

China chip substitution accelerates as chill effect looms

Lily Hess — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 03:00:10 GMT

China's semiconductor self-reliance push has notched new gains, with Chinese AI giants expanding purchases of domestic AI chips and facing direct pressure from Beijing to use more local silicon, market sources say. Industry players say the trend toward chip substitution has been building for years, but whether it truly accelerates will depend on how strong the "chilling effect" becomes.

Samsung reportedly weighs Chinese DRAM for budget smartphones as memory inflation squeezes mobile market

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:59:24 GMT

Samsung Electronics is considering using low-cost Chinese mobile DRAM in smartphones sold in China as it looks to cut manufacturing costs and expand its presence in the country's budget handset market, according to Asia Time.

Analysis: How Xiaomi's range-extended EV push could redraw China's supplier map

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:35:00 GMT

Xiaomi is preparing to unveil a new car technology platform on July 30, signaling a deeper move into the range-extended electric vehicle market. The launch is expected to spotlight not only two flagship SUVs, but also the company's supplier strategy, which could influence competition across China's fast-moving new-energy vehicle sector.

Moonshot AI's Kimi K3 secures Day 0 support from Alibaba Cloud, Huawei Ascend

Levi Li — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:30:00 GMT

China's two major AI computing ecosystems moved quickly to support Kimi K3 after Moonshot AI released the large language model as open source.

ASM raises 2027 revenue outlook as AI-driven chip demand lifts forecast

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:20:00 GMT

On July 28, ASM International raised its revenue outlook for 2027 and issued third-quarter guidance above market expectations after reporting higher second-quarter revenue and profit, supported by continued investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure and advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

Smartphone chip earnings will gauge 2026 demand as prices rise

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:20:00 GMT

Major smartphone system-on-chip vendors are set to report earnings this week and share outlooks for the traditional second-half peak season, giving investors a fresh read on 2026 consumer demand. The results come as chip inflation remains elevated, supply stays tight, and brands weigh whether higher component costs will weaken buying power or limit inventory builds.

Macronix sees 80% gross margin within reach but warns LTAs could deepen memory downturn

Levi Li — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:12:31 GMT

Macronix International posted a sharp earnings increase in the second quarter of 2026, with gross margin reaching a record 64.4%. Its board also approved an additional NT$15.8 billion (approx. US$490 million) in capex to expand 12-inch wafer capacity.

AI researchers urge international safeguards as industry pushes for mechanisms to slow frontier AI

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:06:02 GMT

More than 1,100 employees and executives from leading artificial intelligence companies have called for an international framework that could deliberately slow frontier AI development if risks outpace human oversight, highlighting a growing shift from voluntary safety commitments toward formal governance as increasingly capable AI systems raise cybersecurity and control concerns.

SK Hynix prepares for prolonged memory tightness as AI infrastructure expands

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:05:30 GMT

SK Hynix reported record second-quarter revenue, underscoring the firm's strong demand for AI-related memory despite supply constraints and shifting customer buying patterns. The South Korean chipmaker said it is expanding long-term agreements with major customers to lock in demand and support investment planning. The company also expects HBM and DRAM to remain key growth drivers into the second half of 2026.

Seagate forecasts strong 1Q growth on sustained AI-driven cloud demand

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:00:00 GMT

On July 28, Seagate Technology reported sharply higher revenue and profit for its fiscal fourth quarter, driven by continued demand from cloud data center customers and higher-capacity storage products tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure. The company also issued first-quarter fiscal 2027 guidance above its prior quarter's revenue level, reflecting expectations that demand momentum will continue.

Boeing 737 MAX 10 certification could come in autumn, FAA says

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Boeing is moving closer to final safety certification for the 737 MAX 10, with the Federal Aviation Administration targeting September or October should the review stay on track. The approval would clear a long-delayed hurdle for the largest member of the 737 MAX family and could help Boeing improve its cash flow as it competes with Airbus in the single-aisle jet market.

TDK and LG Innotek form partnership on physical AI sensors

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:52:23 GMT

TDK and LG Innotek are joining forces to develop sensors for Physical AI, a move that could shape future robotics and automation products used worldwide. The collaboration combines optical, tactile, and motion technologies, with an early focus on humanoid robots and advanced sensing modules for broader global deployment.

Corning raises long-term growth targets after 2Q26 profit increases

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:51:00 GMT

On July 28, Corning reported higher revenue and profit for the second quarter, supported by growth across several business segments, particularly Optical Communications and Solar. The company also raised its long-term Springboard growth targets, citing continued demand and expanded partnerships with major technology companies.

KLA executives outline growth strategy amid accelerating AI infrastructure demand

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:46:00 GMT

During KLA's June 2026 earnings call, held on July 28, executives detailed the company's financial performance and strategic outlook, highlighting a period of record revenue and accelerating investment across the semiconductor ecosystem. CEO Rick Wallace and CFO Bren Higgins addressed several critical topics, including supply chain constraints and the long-term impact of artificial intelligence on wafer fab equipment (WFE) demand.

Joby and Virgin Atlantic plan UK air taxi service by late 2026

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:45:00 GMT

Joby Aviation said at the Farnborough International Airshow that it had reached a multi-year exclusive partnership with Virgin Atlantic to launch a UK air taxi service, and added that certification test flights for its S4 electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft were moving ahead on schedule. The company said it is targeting its first commercial passenger flight by the end of 2026.

Compal launches Employee Stock Ownership Trust to boost talent retention

Eifeh Strom — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:34:46 GMT

Compal Electronics announced it officially launched its Welfare Employee Stock Ownership Trust (ESOT) plan in July 2026 to deepen its talent strategy amid intensifying global competition for talent and the growing focus on corporate sustainability. The company is partnering with CTBC Bank to establish a mechanism that enables the company and its employees to share in future growth.

KLA raises wafer equipment market outlook as AI investment drives record quarterly revenue

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:30:00 GMT

KLA raised its outlook for the global wafer equipment market and forecast record revenue for the current quarter after reporting better-than-guidance fourth-quarter results, citing sustained investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced semiconductor manufacturing, and advanced packaging.

Kbro lifts broadband investment as 10G service expands across Taiwan

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:30:00 GMT

Kbro Broadband said on the 27th that it will begin the second phase of its full-area upgrade plan in August and roll out its Kbro New Speed 10G service amid rising demand for faster internet in Taiwan. The cable operator also said capital expenditure will stay elevated in the coming years, with spending gradually shifting from network upgrades to terminal equipment, enterprise customers, and smart city projects.

AI shift to inference boosts CPU server demand across the supply chain

Jingyue Hsiao — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:23:34 GMT

The move from AI model training to inference is widening server demand beyond accelerators and easing margin pressure on hardware assemblers. For global readers, the shift signals a broader buildout in data centers, with implications for cloud costs, server makers, chip suppliers, and enterprise AI deployment worldwide.

NXP posts strong 2Q as investors remain cautious on chip outlook

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:15:00 GMT

Despite robust performance in the automotive sector and growing demand for artificial intelligence, NXP Semiconductors' second-quarter earnings and third-quarter projections fell short of investor expectations due to cautious market sentiment regarding semiconductor valuations and heightened competition from Chinese chip manufacturers.

Huawei targets 2027 glass substrate production to gain an edge in AI chips

Levi Li — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:15:00 GMT

Huawei is reportedly working through its domestic supply chain to begin mass production of semiconductor glass substrates in 2027, with plans to adopt the technology in its own AI chips. Industry sources said that if the strategy proceeds successfully, leadership in global semiconductor glass-substrate technology could gradually shift towards China.

Commentary: Why China's 2026 tech breakthroughs are a generational harvest

Levi Li — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:00:42 GMT

Judging only by the news of summer 2026, China's technology sector appears to have entered an unusually concentrated period of breakthroughs.

Shield AI and GE Aerospace complete X-BAT engine tests for late-2026 flight

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:00:00 GMT

Shield AI and GE Aerospace said on July 20 that they had completed integration, actuation and engine ignition testing for the Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN) on the X-BAT vertical takeoff and landing unmanned combat aircraft. The milestone brings the AI-enabled, runway-independent fighter closer to a first flight later in 2026.

SK Hynix sees record-breaking 2Q on surging AI demand

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 01:00:00 GMT

SK Hynix has announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, reporting unprecedented growth in revenue and profitability. Driven by rapid expansion in the artificial intelligence (AI) market, the company achieved record-high margins and a significant surge in net profit, supported by both operational excellence and substantial investment gains.

OpenAI plans to test first hardware device in South Korea

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:42:28 GMT

OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman has said that the company may use South Korea as a testbed for its first hardware device, widely believed to be a screenless speaker. However, it remains to be seen whether an ongoing court case brought on by Apple could influence the product's timeline.

Samsung reveals battery life, durability details for smart glasses coming this fall

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:42:18 GMT

Samsung Electronics has shared new details about its upcoming smart glasses, including battery life and durability specifications, as the company moves to get ahead of privacy concerns that have dogged the category since Meta's Ray-Ban glasses sparked a backlash earlier this year.

Adata profit surges tenfold on memory shortages and AI demand

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:42:10 GMT

Adata Technology posted record second-quarter results in 2026, as rising memory prices, aggressive procurement and tighter inventory management lifted revenue and profit to historic highs.

From Silicon Valley to Sicily: Samsung, SK chiefs take Korea's AI supply-chain pitch to Google Camp

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:42:02 GMT

A high-level technology gathering in Sicily, reportedly to be attended by the leaders of two of South Korea's largest semiconductor groups, Samsung Electronics and SK Group, is drawing attention to their expanding roles across the AI infrastructure stack.

Tier IV lists in Tokyo to fund open autonomous driving platform

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:41:53 GMT

Japanese autonomous driving startup Tier IV listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on July 22 and said it planned to raise capital to expand its self-driving technology ecosystem. The offering came as the company sought to advance its goal of democratizing autonomous driving technology, even after a weaker-than-expected first-day trading debut.

Amazon files for 5,105 satellites in direct challenge to Starlink

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:41:40 GMT

Amazon has filed with the Federal Communications Commission to launch and deploy 5,105 low Earth orbit satellites for a direct-to-device network that would connect phones and other mobile devices directly to space-based systems. The filing marks a major expansion of Amazon's satellite ambitions and represents a direct challenge to SpaceX's Starlink.

OpenAI expands Dublin hub with 250 jobs and larger office lease

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:41:30 GMT

OpenAI is expanding its European headquarters in Dublin, adding 250 jobs and leasing 8,000 square metres of office space as it scales operations across Europe. The move came as the company said demand from users, customers, and developers in the region continued to grow.

Powertech posts record second-quarter revenue and targets a 2026 sales high

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:41:22 GMT

Powertech Technology reported second-quarter 2026 revenue of NT$23.116 billion, up 8.5% from the previous quarter and 28% from a year earlier. The Taiwan-based memory and testing provider said the result, lifted by stronger Memory demand, pushed revenue and gross margin to their highest levels since 2022 as it looked toward another full-year record.

ADLINK expands robotics portfolio, targets 10% revenue share by 2028

Levi Li — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:41:13 GMT

The rise of physical AI is shifting the robotics market from technical demonstrations towards real-world deployment and viable business models. ADLINK is positioning edge computing and control platforms at the center of its strategy, combining partnerships and investment resources to expand into robotics solutions ahead of many industrial PC suppliers.

Core Scientific and AMD joing forces to boost AI infrastructure

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:40:52 GMT

Core Scientific and AMD have announced a significant partnership to boost AI infrastructure and address the growing demand for artificial intelligence technologies. Under the agreement, AMD will gain access to more than 500 MW of US data center capacity starting in 2027, with the potential to scale up to 2.5 GW.

AI, memory clients lock in long-term orders for Leading Technology

Lily Hess — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:35:38 GMT

Leading Technology, the IC substrate arm of PCB giant Zhen Ding Technology Group, is pressing ahead with plans for a Hong Kong listing as AI and memory customers sign long-term supply deals that tie up Ajinomoto Build-Up Film (ABF) and bismaleimide triazine (BT) substrate capacity through 2028.

Samsung and SK Hynix hold back on 3D IC; CXMT and Winbond gain

Charlene Chen — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:34:51 GMT

AI demand is driving a sharp rise in inquiries about 3D IC, but some in South Korea say the new technology is unlikely to become a fresh growth engine for Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Because 3D DRAM is closer to customized memory, mass production could clash with the scale-based business model that underpins the two memory leaders.

China rejects US AI model theft claims, says American firms distill Chinese models too

Levi Li — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:34:37 GMT

China's Ministry of Commerce has rejected US allegations that Chinese artificial intelligence companies used model distillation to acquire capabilities from advanced US AI models, after American officials said they were considering investigations and possible sanctions over the alleged theft of US intellectual property.

Chinese brands seize 25% of Europe midsize SUV sales as BEV demand surges

Lily Hess — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:31:34 GMT

New-car registrations in Europe's midsize and large SUV market reached 476,000 in the first five months of 2026, nearly tripling from four years earlier. As the market expands rapidly, competition among automakers from Europe, the US, Japan, South Korea, and China has shifted sharply, with Tesla's Model Y retaining its place as the best-selling single model.

EU leaders prepare first dedicated AI summit as tech sovereignty gains urgency

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:30:00 GMT

The European Union is preparing to hold its first dedicated leaders' summit discussion on artificial intelligence before year-end, according to Politico. European Council President António Costa is planning to reserve one day at one of three meetings on Oct. 15, Nov. 13 or Dec. 17 for the agenda item, marking a rare standalone debate on digital technology at the bloc's highest political level.

Taiwan offshore wind blueprint lifts outlook for developers

Charlene Chen — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:29:05 GMT

The offshore wind industry has faced pressure from the Russia-Ukraine war and COVID-19, both of which pushed up construction costs and slowed development in Taiwan. Some developers have exited the market, raising concerns among green-power-hungry industries that renewable projects could be delayed and customer net-zero timelines may slip.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon price hikes test Apple, MediaTek flagship phone demand

Levi Li — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:28:52 GMT

Qualcomm has reportedly notified customers that it will raise prices across its Snapdragon system-on-chip portfolio from September 2026, including its next flagship mobile platform due to launch that month. The largest increases could reach double-digit percentages, drawing attention to how Apple and MediaTek will respond.

Non-core parts makers delay Southeast Asia capex as China-US tensions ease

Lily Hess — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:28:42 GMT

Geopolitical tensions and the US-China trade war are pushing global supply chains to shift their priorities from efficiency toward resilience and security. But for non-core components makers, customers have not been as strict as expected on production-location requirements, giving companies room to slow or rethink planned moves into Southeast Asia.

PwC says AI, scale are driving a new global M&A phase

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:28:29 GMT

PwC said on July 27 that global mergers and acquisitions are entering a new phase shaped by artificial intelligence, larger transactions, and capital reallocation. The firm expects global M&A deal value to reach US$4 trillion in 2026, up about 13% from the previous year, as money continues to move toward companies with scale advantages.

SK Telecom bets on AI infrastructure to regain core status in SK Group

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:28:08 GMT

SK Telecom is moving to reposition itself as an AI infrastructure platform as it tries to recover its standing inside SK Group. The South Korean carrier's shift comes as domestic telecom growth slows, new ventures have underperformed, and security incidents have weakened its momentum.

South Korea and AMD sign AI semiconductor pacts to build heterogeneous computing base

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:27:39 GMT

South Korea has signed two memorandums of understanding with Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) to strengthen its AI semiconductor ecosystem and accelerate heterogeneous computing infrastructure. The agreements, announced after meetings between South Korean science and ICT officials and AMD leadership, are aimed at supporting the country's push to build a national AI power base.

China Mobile adds AI and HD video to its mobile voice calling service

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:27:26 GMT

China Mobile has upgraded its traditional voice service with generative AI, cybersecurity, and high-definition video, as China's telecom sector pushes basic communications toward more intelligent offerings. The revised service was rolled out recently and is designed to give users a smarter calling experience without changing their phone or SIM card.

South Korea unveils US$950 billion AI partnerships with Nvidia, Samsung, SK Group

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:27:17 GMT

South Korea announced a US$950 billion package of AI cooperation initiatives in Silicon Valley on July 24, 2026, as President Lee Jae-Myung led a delegation of government and business leaders to meet US tech executives. The agreements covered semiconductors, AI data centers, AI factories, robotics, and autonomous driving, according to Yonhap and Dealsite.

LG Innotek tops second quarter forecasts on stronger camera module and substrate sales

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:27:06 GMT

LG Innotek reported stronger-than-expected results in the second quarter of 2026, helped by an improving market for camera modules and integrated circuit substrates. According to South Korean media including Financial News and Newsis, the electronics supplier also said first-half revenue exceeded KRW10 trillion for the first time.

Australia capital markets ride AI deal wave as cloud startups target listings

DIGITIMES — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Australia's capital markets have picked up pace on the back of AI-related demand, with listings and equity raisings reaching US$11.4 million in the first half of 2026, up from US$10.6 billion in the first half of 2025, according to Bloomberg. This growth has been driven in part by investors seeking exposure to the AI supply chain, including data center and cloud services businesses.

Thailand drops land bridge plan after review flags weak returns and environmental risks

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 23:45:00 GMT

Thailand has canceled its proposed Land Bridge Project after a government review concluded that the cross-country route would generate lower-than-expected returns and could harm the environment. Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas announced the decision on July 24, according to Bloomberg and The Nation.

Nvidia says smuggling is a 'nonstarter' as Taiwan arrests its employee in GB300 server scheme

DIGITIMES — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:55:04 GMT

A senior sales manager allegedly helped route GB300-equipped servers through Japan and Hong Kong over three years, in a scheme prosecutors value at up to $300 million