The global surge in DRAM prices, combined with the increasing momentum of artificial intelligence (AI) development in the Middle East, positions South Korea's memory chip giants—Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix—to benefit significantly from the renewed growth in the semiconductor sector. With both companies at the forefront of this market shift, they are set to capitalize on the rising demand for advanced memory solutions driven by AI innovations and broader technological trends.

For the past two years, the AI revolution has resembled a software arms race: the bigger the model, the better the odds of winning. But in 2025, the race is shifting from code to concrete. The new battleground is physical, industrial, and strategic—the rise of the AI factory.

GlobalWafers, the Taiwan-based semiconductor materials giant, officially opened its new US$3.5 billion manufacturing facility in Sherman, Texas, on May 16. Chairperson Doris Hsu marked the occasion by also announcing plans for an additional US$4 billion expansion, which would bring the company's total investment in the US to US$7.5 billion.

Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, continued his closely watched Taiwan visit with a high-profile gathering of semiconductor and electronics leaders on May 17, following a private dinner the night before with TSMC Chairman C.C. Wei and senior executives. Attendees included some of the most influential names in the region's supply chain: MediaTek CEO Rick Tsai, Quanta Chairman Barry Lam, Wistron Chairman Simon Lin, and Asus Chairman Jonney Shih.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang arrived in Taiwan on May 16, marking the start of a tightly scheduled visit that blends symbolic gestures with strategic meetings. When asked about the location of Nvidia's new Taiwan headquarters, Huang offered only a teaser: "I'll tell everyone next Monday."