Erudite Asia

Bauer's singing pigeon! Capital flows back, Asia Investment Trust is optimistic about semiconductors: Taiwan stock fundamentals are supportive U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell hinted at an imminent interest rate cut in September, leading to a weakened U.S. dollar and increased foreign investments in emerging Asian stocks. Taiwan experienced a net inflow of US$310 million last week, marking the second consecutive week of positive capital flow. Despite Taiwan stocks closing down by 0.9%, they remain the top performers in emerging Asia this year, with a 24.65% annual increase. CITIC Investment Trust noted strong AI demand and a peak season for semiconductors, with expectations of rising wafer prices for TSMC's advanced processes. Investors are advised to consider semiconductor-related stocks as shipments are projected to rise in the fourth quarter. The Emerging Asia Index rose 0.8%, with Taiwan being a prominent focus for foreign investors amidst overall gains in the region's stock markets. #Semiconductors #Taiwan https://lnkd.in/gG6-8_b7

The government plans to invest 30 trillion won ($22.6 billion) in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and other advanced technologies over the next five years. This investment strategy was revealed during a meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology. The advanced technologies targeted for investment also include rechargeable batteries, aerospace, ocean engineering, and next-generation communications. #AI #SouthKorea https://lnkd.in/gjDHCYNj

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD has entered into an agreement with Huawei to implement Huawei's advanced autonomous driving system in its off-road Fangchengbao EVs. The Bao 8 SUV will be the inaugural model featuring Huawei's Qiankun intelligent driving system and is set to be released later this year. This partnership is part of BYD's strategy to upscale its brands, aiming to enhance sales of its premium models—Denza, Fangchengbao, and Yangwang—, which represented only 5% of total sales in the first half of the year. While BYD has a strong market position due to its vertical integration strategy, it faces pressure to enhance its smart driving capabilities, prompting investments in its own advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS). Currently, BYD still relies on external suppliers for some intelligent features in its premium offerings. The collaboration underscores Huawei's increasing influence in the EV sector, as it is also supplying ADAS technology to Audi for its EVs in China. #CloudComputing #China https://lnkd.in/gHfy9JEs

Is Huawei’s AI chip Ascend 910C comparable to H100? Guo Zhengliang’s 2-point warning: Huida is afraid of losing China’s market share Huawei's AI chip, the Ascend 910C, is reportedly undergoing large-scale testing and may deliver performance comparable to NVIDIA's H100. Former legislator Guo Zhengliang highlighted concerns that if Huawei successfully produces the chip while NVIDIA faces U.S. export restrictions, NVIDIA could lose market share in China. He noted that should NVIDIA not sell its H100 chips, China would likely pursue development of the Ascend 910C. Guo Zhengliang also mentioned analysis from SemiAnalysis suggesting that the Ascend 910C's performance might surpass NVIDIA's downgraded offerings and speculated that Huawei could produce 1.3 to 1.4 million units next year, albeit amid anticipated further U.S. controls. Guo criticized the U.S. perspective on global trade, asserting that it underestimates China's momentum in industrial development. #CloudComputing #Taiwan https://lnkd.in/gUg93Cys

US-China chip war: Japan dismantles latest Huawei phone and finds Chinese semiconductors "only three years behind TSMC" Research and development of semiconductors are central to the U.S.-China technology war. Five years after the U.S. export ban on Huawei, Japanese semiconductor research firm TechanaLye dismantled Huawei's latest mobile phone, the Pura 70 Pro, and found that China's semiconductors are only three years behind those of TSMC. The Kirin 9010 chip used in the Pura 70 Pro, manufactured by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), shows performance close to TSMC's 5-nanometer Kirin 9000 chip from 2021. The Kirin 9010 chip measures 118.4 square millimeters compared to TSMC's 5-nanometer chip at 107.8 square millimeters, indicating performance similarities. While SMIC's yield rates do not match TSMC's, its advancements show significant progress. The Pura 70 Pro contains 37 chips, with 86% sourced from Chinese manufacturers. The article notes that the U.S. controls focus primarily on cutting-edge semiconductors, but China's ongoing acquisition of unregulated manufacturing equipment and expertise has facilitated its technological advancements, making it increasingly challenging for TSMC to maintain a lead over Chinese companies. #CloudComputing #Taiwan https://lnkd.in/gskTAbjE

The South Korean government plans to invest 30 trillion won (approximately US$22.6 billion) in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and other advanced technologies over the next five years, as announced by the science ministry. The investment strategy was revealed during a meeting of the Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology. Additional advanced technologies included in the plan are rechargeable batteries, aerospace and ocean engineering, and next-generation communications. #AI #SouthKorea https://lnkd.in/gUsNM2wm

Join the Silicon Photonics Industry Alliance AUO: Accelerate the transformation of technological achievements Major manufacturers, including TSMC and ASE, are forming the SEMI Silicon Photonics Industry Alliance to establish a comprehensive ecosystem and technical standards for silicon photonics technology. AU Optronics has announced its participation in the alliance to share technological insights and accelerate the implementation of advancements. With the rising demand for high-speed data transmission driven by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, AUO emphasizes Taiwan's competitive edge in semiconductors and electronics. The integration of optoelectronic technology with silicon photonics is expected to strengthen Taiwan's technological standing. Additionally, AUO is pursuing a dual-axis transformation strategy focusing on innovation in display technology and reinforcing its core competitiveness through three key operational pillars: "Mobility Solution," "Vertical Solution," and "Display Technology," aimed at mitigating the business cycle's impact on the panel industry. #Semiconductors #Taiwan https://lnkd.in/gZWiVhCs

HCLTech shares rose to 1,722.70, up 0.10 percent on the BSE, following the announcement of an extended partnership with Xerox on August 26, 2024. The collaboration focuses on AI and digital engineering aimed at supporting Xerox's reinvention initiative for long-term growth and efficiency. HCLTech will leverage its GenAI platform, HCLTech AI Force, alongside its automation and engineering services to aid Xerox's digital transformation efforts. The partnership, which dates back to 2009, has resulted in 215 US patents and the establishment of joint R&D labs, with HCLTech utilizing its global delivery network to support Xerox's initiatives. #AI #India https://lnkd.in/g4MbSsN6

Nvidia Corp. announced plans to support the development of generative artificial intelligence using Japanese language data. The company will extend its AI development services for enterprises to include large language models trained by the Tokyo Institute of Technology and Rakuten Group Inc. This initiative aims to bolster Japan's national economic security by protecting critical infrastructure and enhancing industrial competitiveness without relying on foreign data or resources. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang emphasized the importance of Japan developing its own generative AI to prevent external entities from misappropriating its data. Nvidia's service will provide the necessary tools for creating generative AI applications, with collaborations involving the Tokyo Institute of Technology and Rakuten utilizing models from Meta Platforms Inc. and Mistral AI, respectively. #AI #Japan https://lnkd.in/grdAnpQC

National Assembly and Seoul National University join forces to achieve "AI leading nation"···'Korea AI Forum' launched Seoul National University and 37 lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties have launched the 'Korea AI Forum' to position South Korea as a leader in artificial intelligence. The inaugural meeting took place on August 26, featuring co-chairs from both major parties and a diverse group of attendees. The forum's structure includes three divisions focused on core technology, industry promotion, and legal governance. Key goals include fostering a national AI ecosystem, promoting cooperation between various sectors, and establishing policies that balance technological advancement with regulation. Leaders at the event underscored the importance of AI in shaping national competitiveness and security, highlighting the need for substantial investment in AI infrastructure and a cohesive strategy for growth in the coming years. #AI #SouthKorea https://lnkd.in/gED-BbDG