TAIPEI (TVBS News) — SEMICON Taiwan, one of the world's most influential semiconductor exhibitions, kicked off Wednesday (Sept. 4) in Taipei, showcasing cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This year’s event debuted an "AI Technology Zone" (AI半導體技術概念區), marking a first in its history.
As industry leaders gathered to unveil their latest innovations, concerns continue to circulate around Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC, 台積電) and whether it can maintain its dominant position in the sector.
Chen Yi-he (陳貽和), deputy general manager of Zhen Ding Tech Group (臻鼎科技), noted that although China is making significant strides in its semiconductor industry, it will take time for it to catch up to TSMC's leading status.
In June, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang announced plans to build supercomputers in Taiwan, further underlining the nation’s increasing role in the tech field. However, the Executive Yuan confirmed a 20 billion kWh electricity shortage in northern Taiwan in 2023, raising concerns over whether Taiwan's power supply can sustain AI data centers.
In response to this growing challenge, some tech companies have introduced customized stationary fuel cell power systems. Additionally, many firms are exploring energy conservation methods, such as recycling the heat generated by data centers.
Gary Sun (孫格偉), deputy general manager of Topco Scientific Co.'s (崇越科技) sustainability department, explained that recycling the heat generated by computing centers could be used to produce chilled water for air conditioning, thereby enhancing efficiency.
This year's event featured a landmark discussion with nine top-tier guests, including representatives from TSMC, ASE Technology Holding Co. (日月光), Samsung, and Google.