Anthropic has reportedly approached Microsoft about renting AI computing power running on Microsoft's in-house chips to expand support for its Claude model business. The move is a positive sign for Microsoft and could generate momentum for the mass production of its recently unveiled Maia 200 chip, while ASIC players such as Global Unichip and Ethernet chip suppliers Marvell Technology and Broadcom also stand to benefit.
The shift toward 800V high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power architectures in AI data centers is driving a surge in demand for power semiconductors, boosting shipments for Taiwanese lead frame suppliers SDI Corporation and Jih Lin Technology and raising expectations for double-digit revenue growth in 2026.
Ample Electronic said rising demand from artificial intelligence end customers has driven a stronger market for multilayer ceramic capacitors and related passive components, lifting orders, driving inventory builds, and prompting a shift toward longer-term material lock-in agreements. The conductive paste supplier reported a positive outlook for the second half of 2026 and said customers who initially carried low inventories were replenishing stock and, in some cases, signing extended supply arrangements.
Huawei is using self-developed packaging technology to build ultra-high-capacity enterprise SSDs, underscoring how Chinese technology companies are increasingly turning to advanced packaging and system-level engineering to navigate US semiconductor restrictions.
For AMD CEO Lisa Su, the current moment presents an opening that Nvidia does not have. Nvidia's high-end chips have repeatedly faced scrutiny and export restrictions in China, and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang only recently confirmed in May that Nvidia once held as much as 95% market share there. That dominance has since been reset, with the bulk of that share ceding to domestic rival Huawei.
Below are the most-read DIGITIMES Asia stories from the week of May 18-24, 2026:
Stellantis and Qualcomm expanded their multi-year collaboration to deploy Snapdragon Digital Chassis system-on-chip (SoC) solutions across Stellantis' global vehicle portfolio, affecting cockpit, connectivity, and driver-assistance systems. The move aims to standardize platforms, cut costs, and accelerate the deployment of advanced driver-assist and automated-driving features for customers worldwide, while enabling continuous updates and AI-driven driving experiences.
Samsung Electro-Mechanics (Semco)'s KRW1.5 trillion (approx. US$990 million) silicon capacitor supply contract with a major global company could reshape component supply for AI servers, GPUs, and HBM worldwide, promising denser integration and more stable power delivery in data centers, autonomous vehicles, and mobile devices as demand for high-performance computing grows and supply chains.
The Global Electronics Association announced the formation of the Global Electronics Policy Council on Monday to centralize policy advocacy for the electronics supply chain in response to rising tariff volatility, export controls, and domestic-investment policies across multiple countries. Founding members include Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, US electronics manufacturing services firms Jabil, Flex, and Plexus, and printed circuit board makers AT&S and TTM Technologies, and the council will operate with formal bylaws and a defined leadership structure.
India is advancing its technology and semiconductor ambitions through new fab projects, packaging facilities, data center investments, and industry partnerships. However, analysts say the next phase of the India Semiconductor Mission will depend on addressing weaknesses in equipment, materials, supply chains, talent, and R&D, as the country seeks to convert investment momentum into a sustainable semiconductor ecosystem and broader digital manufacturing growth.
Montage Technology, a company that does not manufacture memory chips itself but instead supplies the interface chips linking CPUs and memory, has quietly emerged as one of the semiconductor sector's most valuable players during the current memory upcycle.
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