Weekly Roundup: Key Developments in Tech, Politics, and Global Affairs in Taiwan
12 July 2024
Technology
TSMC's Advanced Processes at Full Capacity, Apple Adopting 2nm M5 Chips
TSMC's advanced SoIC packaging platform has reportedly been selected by Apple for their new M5 chip series. These AI-focused chips will be manufactured using TSMC's cutting-edge 2nm process node, with mass production expected in H2 2025.
In contrast, rival Samsung is still struggling to match TSMC's process technology lead, and its memory chips have not yet been certified by Nvidia.
Apple's chip VP touted the powerful neural engines in their latest M4 chips. The upcoming M5 series is expected to further advance Apple's server-class AI capabilities by leveraging TSMC's most advanced process and packaging technologies.
Source: SETN
https://www.setn.com/News.aspx?NewsID=1495783
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NVIDIA H100 GPU Listed for $1.39 Million, Sold Out in Seconds: "Refreshing the Page, It's Gone"
NVIDIA's powerful H100 80GB Tensor Core GPU PCIe, released in 2022, has been spotted listed on a Taiwanese e-commerce platform for an astonishing price of $1.39 million. According to a Reddit post, the user discovered the listing and attempted to purchase it, only to find that it had already sold out by the time they refreshed the page.
The exorbitant pricing and rapid sellout have surprised many online commentators, with some joking that the GPU costs "as much as a car" and that in the future, "every household will have one." Others speculated that the device could be resold to mainland China for an even higher price, suggesting potential use cases in military or space applications.
The tremendous demand and limited supply of this high-performance AI accelerator highlight the growing importance of advanced computing hardware in the industry. The NVIDIA H100 is designed to significantly boost the performance of large language models and other AI applications, making it a highly sought-after product among technology enthusiasts and businesses.
Source: UDN News
https://tech.udn.com/tech/story/123153/8078781
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The Importance of Supercomputers for AI
Supercomputers are high-performance computing platforms crucial for complex applications like weather forecasting, drug development, and medical imaging. The world's fastest is the Frontier system in the U.S., while Taiwan's top supercomputer is Taipei-1 by Nvidia.
AI heavily relies on the massive computing power of supercomputers. Tech leaders have emphasized the need for Taiwan to invest in advanced supercomputing to support AI innovation. This article examines the capabilities of supercomputers and Taiwan's latest plans in this area.
Source: CNA / Business Weekly
https://m.businessweekly.com.tw/Commtrend/article/1242704426.html?device_id=1FA9FB05-4165-431F-8508-CD53D5AE4DF8&utm_source=app&utm_medium=share&utm_campaign=article_share
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Politics & Business
Zheng Wencan Arrested! He Revealed Lai Qingde's Purpose: To Intimidate Tsai Ing-wen and Adjust the Cross-Strait Policy
Former Vice Premier Zheng Wencan has been detained on suspicion of receiving bribes during his tenure as mayor. Ma Ying-jeou Foundation Executive Director Hsiao Hsueh-chin said Lai Qingde had three reasons for Zheng's arrest: to attack his political rival within the party, to intimidate President Tsai Ing-wen, and to signal his stance on cross-strait relations.
Hsiao pointed out that Lai's cross-strait policy leans towards independence, as evidenced by the presidential office's press release not mentioning the "one-China policy" after the AIT Taipei Office Director's meeting with Lai. Hsiao also said Lai's preferred Straits Exchange Foundation chairman candidate, former Control Yuan member Wu Feng-shan, is a pro-independence veteran, suggesting Lai is against cross-strait exchanges.
Hsiao believes that if Lai's approval rating drops, the politically compatible Zheng is most likely to challenge him, similar to the 2019 presidential election where Tsai was challenged within the party. Therefore, taking down Zheng is a "killing two birds with one stone" move - attacking his rival and intimidating Tsai.
Source: Nownews
https://www.nownews.com/news/6469700
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2024 US Presidential Election: If Trump Is Elected, What Should Taiwan Be Most Worried About?
If Donald Trump is elected US president again in 2024, Taiwan's biggest concern would be the potential economic impact of his policies. The 2024 presidential election featured an early and historic first debate between the 81-year-old incumbent Joe Biden and the 78-year-old challenger Trump. While Trump's debate performance was generally considered stronger, the real worry is the economic consequences if he returns to the presidency.
Economists are particularly concerned about Trump potentially reviving his past support for raising tariffs and erecting new trade barriers. This could reignite high inflation in the US, which had been a significant issue under Biden's term. In fact, 54% of American voters believe Trump would better handle economic challenges compared to Biden. Trump has vowed to implement his "MAGAnomics" approach, which many experts fear could destabilize the US economy.
For Taiwan, an export-driven economy highly dependent on trade, a return of Trumpian protectionist policies would pose major risks. The prospect of renewed trade tensions and economic turmoil in the US, Taiwan's largest export market, is seen as a major concern should Trump win the 2024 election. Taiwan would need to carefully navigate the potential economic shockwaves of a Trump presidency to safeguard its own economic interests and prosperity.
Source: Business Weekly
https://bwplus.page.link/vBrB
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Behind the Scenes of the Black Storm in Tainan: The Unnoticed Politics and Gang Power in Anping
On July 8th, Lin Shi-jie, a local leader with ties to organized crime and pro-green politicians, was shot and killed near his home in Tainan. This shocking incident has sparked a "black storm" in Tainan's local politics.
Lin had previously been involved in a vote-buying case implicating Tainan's former and current deputy mayors. His background and connections have created a shroud of mystery around his assassination, shedding light on the complex web of Tainan's power dynamics and the influence of local gang forces. This case has revealed the unnoticed aspects of Tainan's political landscape, where elected officials, organized crime, and underlying currents of power intersect.
Source: Storm Media
https://www.storm.mg/article/5185663
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International
Biden Misspoke Again: Introduced Zelenskyy as Putin, Referred to His Own VP as Trump
On July 11, 2024, President Joe Biden made another gaffe during a NATO event, mistakenly referring to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as "Putin" and confusing his own Vice President Kamala Harris with former President Trump.
Biden was introducing Zelenskyy when he said: "And now I'd like to introduce the courageous and determined president of Ukraine, ladies and gentlemen, Putin." He also incorrectly referred to VP Harris as "Trump" during his remarks.
This latest verbal slip-up has raised further questions about Biden's mental acuity and fitness to continue leading the country as he tries to assure voters of his capabilities despite his advanced years.
Source: Storm Media
https://www.storm.mg/article/5189623
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Samsung Workers Declare Indefinite Strike Amid Competition with TSMC
The Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU) in South Korea has announced an indefinite, full-scale strike after a breakdown in labor-management negotiations. The union's key demands include a 3.5% average wage increase for members, one day off on the union's founding anniversary, adjustments to performance bonus calculations, and compensation for economic losses from the strike. Around 6,540 workers, including 5,211 semiconductor equipment-related employees, have expressed intent to join the indefinite walkout.
The strike comes at a critical time for Samsung, as the company has just secured an order from the Japanese AI company Preferred Networks (PFN) to produce AI chips using its 2nm process technology. This order represents a business win over rival TSMC. Analysts note that while the strike may not significantly impact Samsung's operations in the short-term, any potential disruption could be problematic given the intense competition in the global semiconductor market, especially for lucrative AI chip orders. The company has stated that production lines are currently operating normally and have not been impacted by the previous 3-day strike.
Source: Nownews
https://www.nownews.com/news/6468465
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Protests in Spain Over Excessive Tourism
Residents in various Spanish cities have been staging protests against the overwhelming influx of tourists. In recent years, the tourism boom has led to concerns over overcrowding, skyrocketing rents, and the erosion of local culture. Protesters argue the benefits are not equitably shared, with large businesses reaping most profits while locals struggle.
In Barcelona, activists have blocked cruise ships and protested Airbnb. Similar protests have erupted in other popular destinations like Mallorca and the Canary Islands. Locals complain their neighborhoods have become "Disneylands" for tourists, pricing out local businesses and making housing unaffordable.
The government has tried regulating vacation rentals, but many locals feel measures are inadequate. As protests continue, there are calls for a more sustainable and equitable approach to tourism development in Spain.
Source: UDN News
https://udn.com/news/story/6812/8085834