GITEX Asia 2026 wrapped up in Singapore with a clear shift in industry priorities, as artificial intelligence (AI) spending moves from infrastructure buildout toward monetization, with inference and edge deployment emerging as the next battleground.
As AI agents grow capable of independently operating computers, drafting documents, and managing schedules, the relationship between humans and machines is undergoing a fundamental shift. A recent viral phenomenon involving so-called "lobster" agents (OpenClaw) has underscored a new question in the market: traditional PCs and smartphones may no longer be the ideal platforms for AI.
China's outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) sector is accelerating capacity expansion and technology upgrades, with leading players ramping investment to capture rising demand from AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and automotive electronics.
Samsung Electronics is beginning to see early signs of stabilization in its Visual Display (VD) and Digital Appliances (DA) divisions, after a period of underperformance. Market estimates suggest the two units have narrowed their losses, with some businesses potentially returning to profitability, helping lift overall results. Yet surging logistics costs and intensifying price competition from Chinese rivals continue to weigh on margins.
As the US and China compete for leadership in humanoid robotics, Taiwan faces a critical decision about how to position itself in the industry's next phase. Experts say future robotics development will hinge on the integration of hardware, computing power, and ecosystems. Taiwanese firms, with established strengths in AI hardware, are expected to serve as key partners to the US, while their role in the humanoid robotics supply chain could begin to take shape within five years.
Blaize and Nokia are advancing their collaboration on hybrid artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, moving toward real-world deployment through joint validation efforts and a combined solution showcase at GITEX Asia 2026 in Singapore.
