DigiTimes Nachrichten

 

Google is in talks with the US Department of Defense that would allow the Pentagon to use the company's Gemini AI models for classified purposes, according to The Information. If the deal comes to fruition, it could represent a deepening of ties between Google and the Pentagon, which is seeking AI partners after its falling out with Anthropic in recent months....

In an era where AI systems are rapidly scaling beyond the limits of traditional silicon, new experimental companies are beginning to question what "compute" itself should look like. One of the most unusual entrants is The Biological Computing Company (TBC), which proposes a hybrid model integrating living neurons with modern machine learning systems to enhance performance, efficiency, and adaptability. The idea sits at the intersection of neuroscience and computing....

Memory module maker Apacer Technology reported its consolidated financial results for the first quarter of 2026, with revenue reaching NT$7.04 billion (approx. US$223 million), gross profit NT$3.47 billion, operating profit NT$2.31 billion, net profit NT$1.86 billion, and earnings per share (EPS) of NT$14.54. Revenue, gross profit, operating profit, and net profit all hit record highs for the quarter. Compared with EPS of NT$6.7 for the full-year 2025, Apacer's first-quarter earnings alone have already exceeded last year's total....

Taiwan's Fortune Electric Value Company (Evalue) has launched a 640kW ultra-fast DC charger capable of charging 800V EVs in 15–20 minutes, with support for up to five simultaneous charging guns. The launch could accelerate the buildout of charging infrastructure capacity globally as operators prioritize fast-slow charging mixes and scale partnerships to meet rising EV demand and reduce emissions....

Samsung Electronics is moving ahead with the operational ramp-up of its Taylor, Texas, foundry plant, marking a key step in its push to expand advanced semiconductor manufacturing in the US and secure new artificial intelligence (AI) chip customers, according to reports from Hankyung, FNN News, and EDaily....

Whetron Electronics, a Taiwanese Tier 1 automotive electronics supplier, said it recently showcased a new suite of advanced driver-assistance and in-cockpit sensing technologies at the Taipei AMPA 2026, as the company pushes deeper into edge computing and intelligent vehicle safety systems....

Rumors of a restructuring of Samsung Electronics's China operations are gaining momentum, with reports suggesting potential scaling back—or even partial withdrawal—from several business lines, including home appliances, televisions, and monitors....

Global passive component prices are rising, led by Japanese suppliers, with the trend spreading across China and Taiwan. Higher raw material costs and AI-driven demand are tightening supply and shifting pricing dynamics across the electronics supply chain....

Suzhou C*Core Technology announced on April 15 that its next-generation automotive microcontroller unit (MCU), the CCRC4XXX series, has completed internal testing, marking a milestone in its push into high-end automotive semiconductors....

On April 15, Samsung Electronics unveiled a broad AI-driven TV strategy at "The First Look Seoul 2026" event in Seoul, signaling an aggressive bid to differentiate its products through artificial intelligence and recover market share amid mounting competition and sluggish consumer demand....

According to DIGITIMES, six major AI applications¡Xchatbots, software development, image generation, video generation, enterprise operations automation, and manufacturing process automation¡Xare increasingly being adopted by enterprises. The resulting surge...

Openchip's growth and product roadmap could reshape AI computing supply chains and deployment costs globally, offering lower-power alternatives and CPU-independent modules that could ease constraints for data centers, research institutions, and defense contractors. The developments signal potential new suppliers for countries pursuing sovereign AI capabilities....

Vingroup's memorandum of understanding with the Government of Maharashtra, India, could channel about US$6.5 billion into urban development, electric mobility, renewable energy, and social infrastructure, with the potential to reshape India's Mumbai region and serve as a template for large-scale private-sector participation in sustainable urbanization and regional growth....

The surge in AI-grade high-speed computing is pushing printed circuit board manufacturing toward thicker, higher-layer designs, creating a strategic, global shortage of advanced coated PCB drills and raising costs and supply risks for hardware makers and cloud providers, potentially constraining the deployment of server and network equipment over the next two years....

Stellantis and Microsoft announced a five-year strategic partnership on April 16 to co-develop AI, cybersecurity, and engineering capabilities....

United Microelectronics Corp. (UMC) is expected to raise wafer foundry prices in the second half of 2026, as demand for logic and memory-related applications remains resilient and capacity conditions tighten across its portfolio....

Aurotek's unveiling of three new intelligent robots on April 16, developed with partner Pudu Robotics, signals broader options for global industries seeking automation. The system targets cleaning, inspection, and material handling, promising faster deployment, improved operational resilience, and potential labor-cost mitigation for manufacturers, logistics, and facility managers worldwide....

OpenAI has reportedly entered into a multi-year agreement to pay chip startup Cerebras Systems more than US$20 billion for AI server capacity, according to a report by The Information. The deal represents an aggressive move by the ChatGPT creator to diversify its hardware supply chain and mitigate its reliance on Nvidia....

Foxconn's industrial arm, Foxconn Industrial Internet (FII), has ridden the AI server boom to become a revenue leader, illustrating to global manufacturers how advanced production capability and supply‑chain control can translate surging AI demand into market share, influence capacity-location decisions, and strengthen bargaining power across international technology supply chains and investment strategies....

China is preparing a new round of large-scale investment and industrial upgrading centered on AI infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, and strategic emerging industries, according to a briefing by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) at a State Council Information Office press conference on April 17....