2024 AI & Semiconductor Forum in SEMICON JAPAN Invited Experts from Taiwan and Japan to Share Semiconductor & AI Applications

Contributing Editor: David Liu

Japan has a key position in the semiconductor supply chain. To accelerate the cross-border cooperation between Taiwan and Japan industries in AI, semiconductor, and AI applications; the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) held the 2024 AI & Semiconductor Forum, which is executed by Taipei Computer Association (TCA). The forum was held during SEMICON JAPAN and invited international experts to share their insights on the cooperation trends in the AI and semiconductor industries between Taiwan and Japan.

ChenKang Su, Vice Minister of NSTC stated in his opening speech that the world today faces major challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, and aging societies. However, the rapid development of AI, semiconductor technology, and AI applications is bringing new opportunities for the global industry. With its leading semiconductor technology and industrial chain, as well as its highly integrated capabilities in the ICT industry, Taiwan can share their technology with the world expand business opportunities and become a key force of the global industrial upgrading and digital transformation.

Taiwan and Japan have established a strong foundation of mutual trust and cooperation experience in both government and industrial capacities. In the future, there will be more and closer cooperation in the semiconductor industry and AI applications in the future to create a mutually beneficial partnership.

A Multi-Faceted Discussion of Feasible Strategies for Taiwan and Japan - From IC Design and Edge AI Application Implementation to the Integration of Taiwan and Japan’s Semiconductor Industry Culture

Johnsea Chen, Chairman of CMSC, Inc. stated in his forum titled “Challenge vs Opportunity – Collaboration in IC Design” that Taiwan and Japan have many similarities in the IC industry. Jointly exploring business opportunities in the global market and coordinating international partnerships is necessary to develop chips and AI solutions that meet the needs of the global market.

Linda Tsai, President of Intelligent System Sector at Advantech discussed “Intelligent Edge: Breakthroughs and Applications of Edge Computing and AI in Semiconductor Equipment Innovation”. Her speech analyzed the importance of Edge AI in industrial applications and semiconductor equipment innovation, and shared practical application cases and future AI application market trends.

SVP of Delta Electronics (Japan), Hiramatsu Shigeyoshi discussed the “Japan-Taiwan Collaboration in Large-Scale Semiconductor Factory Construction Project” which is based on his real experience in constructing a semiconductor factory. He shared the existing cultural differences between Taiwan and Japan’s semiconductor manufacturers as well as how to coordinate the partnership from the factory planning stage, schedule execution, equipment entry to operation adjustment and other processes to achieve the goal of building a semiconductor factory together.

Semiconductor & AI Development Require International Cooperation – Taiwan’s Supply Chain can Help East Asian Countries Enhance National Strength with AI

Professor Tadahiro Kuroda of the University of Tokyo who is the Japanese pioneer of 3D stacking technology delivered a keynote speech on The Future of Semiconductors and the Importance of International Cooperation. He pointed out that the development of semiconductors requires international cooperation in the global technology industry as a single country might not be able to achieve this alone. If Japan aims to rebuild their semiconductor industry ecosystem, R&D and talent development equally necessary in addition to global partners.

Colley Hwang, Chairman of DIGITIMES stated in his speech titled “Semi Country and The Islands of No Significance”. In his speech, he shared that East Asian countries aim to enhance their national competitiveness with AI technology and AI hardware including AI powered cars, smartphones, PCs, IPCs, and more. All of these products can utilize Taiwan’s semiconductors, servers, and ICT hardware products. This means Taiwan’s supply chain cannot ignore the procurement and needs for implementation of AI in East Asia.

The final section of the event was a panel discussion on the development of semiconductor technology in the AI era, Taiwan-Japan semiconductor industry cooperation strategies, and AI innovation cooperation. Among the messages in the panel discussion was how governments should strengthen the cultivation of AI and semiconductor talents in schools so that the country can remain competitive in the AI era.

To leverage the opportunities and challenges of future industrial changes, NSTC organized the IC Taiwan Grand Challenge (ICTGC). Leveraging Taiwan’s world-leading strengths in the semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, and testing while combining the development of innovative applications with key technologies such as GenAI; ICTGC aims to recruit AI and semiconductor talents from all over the world to cooperate with Taiwan’s technology industry to enhance Taiwan’s competitiveness.

■《About COMPUTEX TAIPEI》

COMPUTEX TAIPEI was founded and named by the then Chairman of Taipei Computer Association (TCA), Stan Shih. In 1985, TCA invited TAITRA to be a co-organizer of COMPUTEX TAIPEI. In 2016, the startup focused event, InnoVEX was introduced.

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