TAIPEI (TVBS News) — DIGITIMES, a Taiwan-based tech industry publication, gathered tech enthusiasts Wednesday (Dec. 3) at its Tech Forum spotlighting artificial intelligence's transformative impact on semiconductors. Su Yu-cheng (蘇育正), general manager of DIGITIMES, emphasized AI's role in reshaping chip paradigms for the industry. Su marked AI as one of the top 10 tech trends for 2026 during the forum presentation.
Tsai Cho-shao (蔡卓卲), DIGITIMES deputy director, highlighted AI's pervasive influence in driving semiconductor industry upgrades and creating new market demand. Tsai noted AI is the primary growth driver for the semiconductor market, affecting advanced processes, packaging, memory, and silicon photonics. The semiconductor market is expected to reach US$744 billion (around NT$23.06 trillion) in 2025, growing by 17.9%.
The semiconductor market will further expand by 18.3% in 2026, reaching US$880 billion (around NT$27.28 trillion), according to Tsai's projections. Tsai's forecast reflects continued strong demand for AI-related semiconductor components and advanced manufacturing technologies. The growth trajectory indicates sustained investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure and computing capabilities across global markets.
Tsai projected a 21% growth in the wafer foundry market for 2025, reaching US$199.4 billion (around NT$6.18 trillion). The wafer foundry market will see a 17% increase in 2026, hitting US$233.1 billion (around NT$7.23 trillion). Wafer foundries manufacture semiconductor chips for fabless companies that design but don't produce their own chips.
Su pointed out the global market faces significant restructuring in 2025, with industries at a critical juncture of structural transformation. The transformation reflects shifting demand patterns driven by AI adoption, geopolitical tensions, and supply chain reorganization. Su emphasized companies must adapt their strategies to navigate the evolving technological and economic landscape.
The forum also addressed global electric vehicle competition, with a 21.8% annual increase expected in 2025. The electric vehicle market growth will slow to 15.2% in 2026, reflecting market maturation and infrastructure challenges. EV adoption continues expanding globally despite slowing growth rates, driven by environmental regulations and consumer demand.
Tsai highlighted the emergence of AI data centers with gigawatt-level power consumption as the new norm for the industry. Tsai predicted over 70% of global data center energy will come from low-carbon sources by 2030. The shift toward renewable energy reflects growing environmental concerns and sustainability commitments from major technology companies. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31)