After TSMC’s $100 billion investment in the US, the New Semiconductor Landscape is Emerging
Colley Hwang – Founder & President | DIGITIMES
Colley Hwang, Founder and President of DIGITIMES, delivered an insightful talk on the evolving global semiconductor ecosystem following TSMC’s $100 billion investment in the U.S. Drawing on decades of experience and deep involvement in Taiwan's semiconductor development, Hwang explored Taiwan’s strategic focus, TSMC’s rise to global leadership, and what countries like the UK can learn to build their own competitive edge.
Key takeaways:
- TSMC's Growth Strategy: From a modest foundry to a global leader, TSMC has transformed through relentless investment—$40B in capex in 2023 alone—and a focus on process tech, ecosystem, and client structure.
- Global Decentralization: The industry is moving toward decentralized manufacturing. Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and the U.S. are developing distinct roles in a complex global supply chain.
- UK Opportunities: Countries must identify their own strengths and invest strategically. There’s potential for the UK to build tech capabilities, partner with Taiwan’s supply chain leaders like WPG/WWT, and incorporate emerging tech such as biochips.
- Strategic Focus: Taiwan’s success, even beyond TSMC, is built on tight ecosystem integration and focus. Hwang emphasized that simply copying Taiwan isn't viable—each country needs a tailored strategy.
💡 “Hardware could eat AI,” said Hwang, echoing Jensen Huang’s vision—reminding us that innovation in cooling, system design, and infrastructure is just as critical as software and AI algorithms.
Action Items:
- Deepen engagement with Taiwan’s semiconductor industry.
- Identify UK's niche strengths to build a robust semiconductor ecosystem.
- Explore inviting Colley Hwang to the UK for continued dialogue.
- Consider partnerships in distribution, infrastructure, and complementary technologies.
With semiconductor imports projected to hit $1.2T and exports $1.07T in 2024, the stakes have never been higher. The UK and others must act decisively to find their space in this new semiconductor order.