TAIPEI, Taiwan, Sept. 09, 2025 — The semiconductor industry, a critical sector essential for national security and economic prosperity, is navigating a new landscape of global trade policies and heightened geopolitical risks. In response, the Industrial Technology Research Institute () and SEMI jointly hosted the Semicon Network Summit in Taipei on September 9. The summit aimed to facilitate high-level international dialogue, foster collaboration on AI chips, and enhance talent development, all towards establishing a robust semiconductor ecosystem.
The event drew more than 600 attendees from 28 countries, including the U.S., Japan, the UK, France, Germany, and the Czech Republic, underscoring the worldwide significance of the discussions. Prominent figures present included Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, National Science and Technology Council Minister Cheng-Wen Wu, Minister of Economic Affairs Ming-Hsin Kung, SEMI International Board of Directors Chairman Tien Wu, ITRI President Edwin Liu, Honorary Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party’s “Semiconductor Strategy Promotion Parliamentarian Alliance” Akira Amari, and TSMC Executive VP and Co-Chief Operating Officer Y.P. Chyn. Notable international dignitaries also in attendance were Czech Republic Minister for Science, Research and Innovation Marek Ženíšek, Deputy Representative of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Gen Kawai, Minister Counsellor for Digital Economy Policy at the Delegation of the European Union to Japan Peter Fatelnig, and British Office Taipei Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones.
President Lai extended a warm welcome to international guests, encouraging them to forge stronger semiconductor industry partnerships to ensure a more secure, resilient, and prosperous future. He detailed Taiwan’s initiatives to deepen international cooperation, attract global investments, and cultivate strong talent pipelines. The government, he announced, intends to launch “Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects,” which will support R&D in fields like quantum computing, silicon photonics, and robotics, positioning Taiwan as a pivotal global innovation hub.
During the summit, President Lai presented the Medal of Economic Contribution to Akira Amari, Honorary Chairman of the Liberal Democratic Party’s “Semiconductor Strategy Promotion Parliamentarian Alliance,” and C.C. Wei, Chairman of TSMC. Amari received the honor for his efforts in advancing strategic collaboration between Japan’s and Taiwan’s semiconductor industries, while Wei was recognized for his leadership in progressing global chip technology and expanding applications in AI and automotive electronics, thereby enhancing Taiwan’s international standing. These accolades emphasize the importance of global cooperation and Taiwan’s central role as a trusted partner.
Minister of Economic Affairs Ming-Hsin Kung affirmed that to stimulate innovation and growth within the semiconductor sector, the Ministry will fully back industry development through policy initiatives and reinforce cooperation with global partners. By embracing a “Rooted in Taiwan, Expanding Globally” strategy, it aims to build trusted, complementary, and sustainable partnerships to bolster supply chain resilience.
ITRI President Edwin Liu stressed that talent forms the foundation of semiconductor progress, identifying three critical challenges: the increasing disparity between supply and demand, the accelerating rate of skill transformation, and the intense global competition for talent that integrates both rivalry and collaboration. He observed that ITRI, serving as a connector between academia and industry, as well as between Taiwan and the international community, is dedicated to nurturing “T-shaped” talent—individuals possessing profound expertise in a core area along with broad, interdisciplinary knowledge—through practical training and collaborative programs.
The event featured four specialized discussion panels. The inaugural panel, “Fostering Global Semiconductor Network Dialogue,” brought together representatives from the U.S., Japan, the EU, and the UK to explore strategies for bolstering supply chain resilience through international strategic alliances. The “Enhancing Trusted Cross-Border Supply Chain Partnerships” session investigated how the global semiconductor industry can leverage regional strengths to improve supply chain resilience. The “Co-Creating the Future of AI Chips” session discussed methods for companies to adopt modular integration and open collaboration to boost the efficiency of designing and manufacturing high-performance AI chips. The concluding session, “Talent Development for the Semiconductor Industry,” addressed the talent deficit, with speakers sharing how governments and businesses are cooperating to establish scalable and adaptable talent cultivation systems.
The Semicon Network Summit successfully convened influential figures from government, industry, academia, and research to strengthen the global semiconductor network. The event demonstrated Taiwan’s proactive commitment to utilizing its strengths to enhance worldwide semiconductor supply chain security and resilience, solidifying its position as a reliable partner in fostering strategic international collaborations.
About ITRI
The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) stands as a premier global technology R&D institution dedicated to fostering a better future for society through innovation. Established in 1973, ITRI has been instrumental in transforming Taiwan’s industries from labor-intensive models to innovation-driven ones. To meet market demands and global trends, it has unveiled its 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap, focusing on innovation in Smart Living, Quality Health, Sustainable Environment, and Resilient Society.
For many years, ITRI has focused on incubating startups and spin-offs, including renowned companies like UMC and TSMC. Beyond its Taiwan headquarters, ITRI maintains branch offices in the U.S., Germany, the UK, Japan, and Thailand, aiming to broaden its R&D scope and promote international collaboration worldwide. For further details, please visit .
Inquiries:
Annie Wu
Office of Marketing Communications, ITRI
+886-3-591-8406
aiyunwu@itri.org.tw
An accompanying photograph for this announcement is available at
