Benefiting from the continued expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) computing power demand, Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII), a subsidiary of Hon Hai Precision Industry (Foxconn), reported first-quarter 2026 revenue that far exceeded market expectations. Revenue reached CNY251.08 billion (approx. US$36.74 billion), up 56.52% year over year, while net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company reached CNY10.60 billion, soaring 102.55%, with profit growth significantly outpacing revenue.

As SpaceX prepares for a public debut at a valuation targeting US$1.75 trillion, new regulatory filings have revealed a corporate governance structure that positions Elon Musk as an unassailable leader. According to Reuters, the company's IPO filing includes a provision stating that Musk cannot be removed from his roles as CEO and chairman of the board without his own consent.

Quanta Cloud Technology's expected 2026 server momentum could reshape global data center supply chains, as rising demand for both AI and general-purpose servers — highlighted by surging orders from Alphabet's Google — may tighten processor supplies, alter ODM margins, and influence procurement strategies across cloud, enterprise, and edge markets worldwide.

Delta Electronics reported strong first-quarter results and approved NT$12.1 billion (US$380 million) in plant investments, moves that signal expanded production capacity for AI servers and data center infrastructure worldwide. Global customers and suppliers may face shifts in supply chains and competition as the company ramps up local manufacturing and overseas funding for growth.

Sources from the notebook (NB) supply chain stated that Taiwanese ODM manufacturers that once stood at the forefront of the market are gradually stepping back, with Chinese ODM manufacturers beginning to take over. This shift is built on three conditions: first, shortages and rising prices of key components have pushed brand vendors to take aggressive measures to protect profits; second, the capabilities of Chinese manufacturers have improved; and third, Taiwanese ODMs are redirecting resources toward higher-growth AI opportunities such as servers.

Corning Incorporated reported higher first-quarter 2026 core sales and earnings while outlining continued restructuring efforts across its operating model, including expanded platform-based businesses, segment realignment, and upgrades to its long-term growth plan.

Given Taiwan's crucial role in the AI supply chain, Cheng-wen Wu, chairman of the country's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), called on Taiwan's legislature to pass the central government's budget proposal, which remains under review. He emphasized that Taiwan must not only lead in AI hardware production, but also advance AI applications.

SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won urged South Korea to pursue deep economic integration with Japan to gain strategic influence amid US-China tech tensions, arguing that a larger Korea-Japan bloc could reshape global bargaining power in energy, semiconductors, and AI infrastructure, with implications for markets and diplomacy worldwide.

Lenovo Group told suppliers at its 2026 Global Supplier Conference on April 29 in Hefei that it expected surging demand for AI PCs and GPU servers to lift revenues and that the company aimed to exceed US$100 billion in annual revenue within two years. Executives said the company forecast record results for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 as AI workloads expanded across endpoints and infrastructure.

South Korea's LG Electronics and US chipmaker Nvidia are exploring a potential partnership spanning robotics, AI data centers, and mobility, signaling how traditional hardware companies are repositioning for the next phase of AI.

Samsung Electronics reported a sharp increase in first-quarter 2026 profitability, led by its semiconductor division, as AI-driven demand for memory chips continued to accelerate. The company's chip unit delivered an operating profit of approximately KRW53.7 trillion (US$360 billion), accounting for the vast majority of group earnings and marking a significant expansion from the prior year.

Taiwan and Germany reported robust bilateral trade growth in the first quarter of 2026, signaling reinforced high-tech supply-chain ties with global implications for AI-driven manufacturing and semiconductors. Rising Taiwanese electronics exports and targeted German machinery shipments suggest deeper industrial cooperation that could affect international technology sourcing and production networks.

Chinese components maker BYD Electronics saw a drop in profits for the first quarter of 2026. The subsidiary of EV maker BYD reported its first-quarter results on April 28, including a 95.5% annual drop in profit attributable to its parent company, hitting CNY27.83 million (US$4.1 million).

Taiwan's minister of economic affairs, Ming-hsin Kung, emphasized that the industrialization threshold for quantum computing is exceptionally high, and Taiwan's industry is currently exploring how to participate in and align with international developments. He stressed that Taiwan should engage with the field before standards are finalized, leveraging its advantages in process technology and advanced packaging — both of which are key factors in quantum computer manufacturing. The country's system integration capabilities are also crucial for practical quantum technology applications.

Taiwan's Water Resources Agency (WRA) disaster emergency response team held its third working meeting on April 27, deciding to downgrade the water status signal in Hsinchu from a "pressure-reducing" yellow light to a "conservation" green light. This change follows a rise in water levels at Baoshan Reservoir and Second Baoshan Reservoir to nearly 70%. The voluntary water-saving target for science parks and industrial parks was also lowered from 7% to 5%.

Rising AI server power density is forcing data centers to adopt centralized, higher-voltage power and upgraded cooling, with implications for operators, suppliers, and investors. Shifts toward 400V and 800V DC distribution, centralized power racks, and broader adoption of liquid cooling will affect design costs, efficiency, and worldwide supply-chain competition and resilience.

As the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran enters its second month, a fragile ceasefire has tempered immediate market shocks, yet economists warn that prolonged tensions could still ripple through global energy and trade. For Taiwan, however, strong export momentum — driven by surging demand for AI and semiconductor technologies — has so far cushioned the impact.

After China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) banned Meta's acquisition of AI startup Manus, the social media giant is reportedly preparing to unwind the deal and allow the founding team to exit in compliance with the cancellation. Original investors, including Tencent, HSG, and ZhenFund, have pledged cooperation should Meta finalize the termination.

Superior Plating Technology announced a groundbreaking for a new factory in Ayutthaya, Thailand, with the first phase involving an investment of NT$300 million (US$9.52 million) for construction and equipment to establish a high-end transformation hub for optical communications and hard disk drives. The facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with mass production beginning after client validation and the company aiming to double production capacity by year-end.

Samsung Electronics is reportedly preparing a significant strategic pivot: a withdrawal from China's home appliance and television sales market by the end of 2026. According to Nikkei Asia, the company is expected to reach a final decision by the end of April, after which it will begin disposing of its inventory and communicating the transition to employees and partners.

The shift from model training to real-time inference, driven by open-source agent applications, is reshaping global data center design and supplier dynamics, with implications for cloud providers and hardware makers worldwide. Demand for inference-dedicated systems is accelerating production and favoring manufacturers with liquid-cooling and vertical-integration capabilities across the industry.

Acer is celebrating its 50th anniversary, having started in 1976 with a total capital of NT$1 million (US$31,800 in today's value). As of April 27, 2026, the broader Acer Group family includes 43 publicly listed companies. Founder Stan Shih emphasized that Acer's greatest contribution lies in nurturing talent for Taiwan, which he said has created intangible and long-lasting value.

Taiwan's exports were forecast to surpass US$800 billion in 2026, driven by strong demand for electronic components and information and audiovisual products tied to artificial intelligence, according to China Credit Information Service. The projection followed a record first quarter when exports reached US$195.74 billion, marking the highest quarterly total on record and a 51.1% year-over-year increase.