Taiwan’s Computex trade show, set for May 20–23, will once again shine a spotlight on artificial intelligence, with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang expected to headline the event. With 1,400 exhibitors lined up, this year’s focus extends beyond AI-powered devices to global economic shifts and the geopolitical implications of U.S. tariffs.
Huang, known for sparking “Jensanity” at last year’s event, will deliver the keynote speech Monday. He’s anticipated to announce expanded partnerships with leading Taiwanese AI server manufacturers like Foxconn and Quanta. Analysts believe Huang may also reference recent U.S. policy changes, including trade tariffs and the ongoing effort to reduce supply chain dependence on China.
“Obviously, Nvidia relies a lot on the Taiwanese ecosystem to deliver,” said Ian Cutress, chief analyst at More Than Moore. Nvidia recently pledged to produce $500 billion worth of AI servers in the U.S. over the next four years, in collaboration with TSMC, Foxconn, and Wistron.
Other tech giants will also make major appearances:
-
Qualcomm will present developments in AI PCs.
-
MediaTek is set to unveil its strategy for edge and cloud AI.
-
AMD will showcase advancements in gaming and AI-powered personal computing.
-
Intel’s new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, while skipping a public speech, will meet privately with key Taiwanese partners.
-
Advantech, a leader in industrial computing, returns after a decade to reveal new AI systems for business applications.
The event arrives amid concerns over tightened export controls on advanced AI chips to China and heightened pressure from the U.S. to relocate manufacturing stateside. These dynamics have shifted the industry’s focus from traditional B2C electronics to enterprise-level AI and industrial innovation.
“Taiwan has also changed,” said Advantech Chairman K.C. Liu. “The industry has shifted toward AI. It’s no longer enough to focus solely on consumer goods.”
Computex 2024 is expected to serve not only as a showcase for the latest AI breakthroughs but also as a barometer of how companies are navigating complex global supply chains and political risks in the tech sector.