Taiwan’s TSMC says semiconductors drive global economy

台灣台積電稱半導體推動全球經濟

Global semiconductor revenue will reach NT$32.2 trillion, says senior TSMC executive


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) Co-Chief Operating Officer Y. J. Mii (米玉傑) stressed the importance of semiconductors as a driver of the global economy at ITF World in Antwerp on Tuesday (May 21).

Belgian Interuniversity Microelectronics Center (IMEC) hosts the tech forum, per CNA. This year, it invited TSMC COO Mii and Foxconn Chair Young Liu (劉揚偉) to discuss the state of the semiconductor industry.

In his speech, Mii focused on the evolution of semiconductor technology and the explosive growth of AI and machine learning. He highlighted the development of key technologies for autonomous vehicles, such as sensors and MRAM chips, noting their high performance.

Mii said that semiconductors are the driving force behind the global economy, predicting that by 2030, global semiconductor revenue will reach US$1 trillion (NT$32.2 trillion), with high-performance computing accounting for 40%, mobile communications for 30%, automotive for 15%, Internet of Things (IoT) for 10%, and others for 5%.

In his remarks, Liu highlighted Foxconn Research Institute’s achievements in fields like semiconductors and quantum computing. The chair also promoted Foxconn’s electric vehicle business model, CDMS (contract design and manufacturing service), aiming to revolutionize the traditional model of car manufacturers.

Liu said he believes that given the significant price pressures faced by the electric vehicle industry, adopting a model similar to professional electronics manufacturing services (EMS) presents a great opportunity. “What happened in outsourcing in the information and communications technology industry will also happen in the electric vehicle industry,” he said.

ITF World is to be held in Antwerp May 21-22.