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Taiwan’s Chip Industry a Pillar of Global Stability and National Defence, Tsai Ing-wen Says

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Former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen told the Berlin Freedom Conference on Monday that Taiwan’s world-leading semiconductor industry not only underpins global prosperity but also strengthens the island’s defence and resilience amid growing external threats.

“Our high-tech sector, particularly in semiconductors, has become an indispensable part of the global economy,” Tsai said. “In an age where AI also defines power, Taiwan’s chip industry anchors global prosperity.”

Tsai emphasized that Taiwan’s role as a global technology hub has become a strategic asset for both economic and national security, reinforcing its position in the global supply chain while deterring potential aggression.

“Now, it is such an initiative that helps Taiwan strengthen its defence and societal resilience in the face of threats,” she added, stressing that Taiwan remains committed to sharing its expertise with international partners.

While Taiwan maintains official diplomatic ties with only the Vatican in Europe, Tsai noted growing engagement with European countries such as Britain, France, Lithuania, and Poland, which have continued to host Taiwanese officials despite Beijing’s objections.

Her remarks come as the island’s semiconductor industry — led by TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker — continues to play a central role in global AI and advanced computing technologies, making Taiwan a critical player in the modern digital economy.

Sony Lifts Profit Forecast by 8%, Citing Lower Tariff Impact and Strong Anime Performance

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Sony has raised its operating profit forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2026 by 8% to 1.43 trillion yen ($9.5 billion), crediting a lower-than-expected impact from U.S. tariffs and strong results from its entertainment and semiconductor divisions.

In the July–September quarter, operating profit climbed 10% to 429 billion yen, driven by robust sales in its music and chip businesses. Sony highlighted the success of its animated hit “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle” as a key contributor to the performance.

Once best known for electronics, Sony has steadily evolved into an entertainment powerhouse, with anime now one of its most profitable sectors.

However, its gaming division reported weaker results after recording impairment losses tied to “Destiny 2,” developed by its studio Bungie. Chief Financial Officer Lin Tao said user engagement had fallen short of expectations following the acquisition.

Sony sold 3.9 million PlayStation 5 consoles during the quarter, slightly above last year’s figure, and aims to grow its player base during the holiday season while maintaining profitability. The company’s recently launched game “Ghost of Yotei” sold 3.3 million copies, receiving strong critical and commercial response.

Meanwhile, the global gaming landscape continues to evolve: Take-Two Interactive has once again delayed “Grand Theft Auto VI” to November next year, while Nintendo has raised its forecast for the Switch 2 to 19 million units amid high demand.

Sony’s chip business also saw gains from increased sales of large image sensors used in smartphones, with some clients reportedly accelerating purchases ahead of tariffs. The company now expects a 50 billion yen tariff impact, lower than its earlier estimate of 70 billion yen.

To reward shareholders, Sony announced a share buyback program of up to 35 million shares worth around 100 billion yen. Following the news, Sony’s stock rose 5.5%.

OpenAI’s Sam Altman Urges U.S. to Expand Chips Act Tax Credit for AI Development

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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Friday called for the United States to broaden eligibility under the Chips Act’s Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (AMIC), arguing that expanding the incentive to include AI data centers, server production, and grid infrastructure is essential for maintaining U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence.

Altman’s comments follow a letter sent by OpenAI’s Chief Global Affairs Officer Chris Lehane on October 27 to White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios, formally requesting that the AMIC cover AI infrastructure beyond semiconductor fabrication.

“The U.S. needs re-industrialization across the entire stack — fabs, turbines, transformers, steel, and much more,” Altman said on X (formerly Twitter). “That will help everyone in our industry, and other industries, including us.”

Altman emphasized that the request was “very different from loan guarantees to OpenAI,” clarifying that the company is not seeking direct federal funding for its operations. Earlier this week, he confirmed that OpenAI had discussed potential federal loan guarantees for chip factory construction, but not for data centers.

OpenAI has pledged to invest $1.4 trillion over the next eight years to expand its computational infrastructure, reflecting the skyrocketing demand for AI models and chips that power applications like ChatGPT.

As AI becomes a cornerstone of global technology competition, the Biden administration faces growing pressure to balance industrial policy and fiscal discipline. White House AI and crypto czar David Sacks recently reiterated that there will be no federal bailout for AI companies, underscoring Washington’s cautious stance despite mounting private-sector investment.