Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang was celebrated in Taiwan as the company surpassed Apple to become America’s second most valuable company. Huang, wearing his signature black leather jacket, spoke at a packed stadium in Taipei, emphasizing Taiwan’s importance in building the infrastructure for artificial intelligence technology, which has propelled Nvidia to the top. He highlighted the island’s role as a key supplier for nearly 100 of the company’s suppliers.
The phenomenon of “Jensanity” has taken Taiwan by storm, with Huang being tracked by fans, followers on social media, and TV cameras at every move. Other tech CEOs like Lisa Su of AMD, Pat Gelsinger of Intel, and Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm also flocked to the city for Computex, an annual trade show. Originally a low-key sourcing fair for consumer gadgets, Computex now has the limelight due to the global competition to create generative AI applications.
The launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI in late 2022 has intensified the competition to create generative AI applications, leading to high demand for cutting-edge chips used in data centers. Nvidia and AMD outsource the production of their most advanced chips to Taiwan-based TSMC, which controls around 90% of the world’s super-advanced chips. This has elevated Taiwan’s position in the AI revolution and made Computex a sought-after event for tech CEOs to cement relationships with chip manufacturers and access the country’s AI talent.
CEOs of major global companies have typically taken low-key trips to Taiwan or avoided the island altogether to avoid backlash from Beijing. China claims Taiwan as its own, despite it being a self-governing democracy, and has threatened to use force to reunify it. However, the allure of Taiwan’s advanced chip manufacturing and AI talent has drawn tech giants to the island, marking a shift in the industry’s approach to engaging with Taiwan.
As Taiwan’s importance in the tech industry continues to grow, more global CEOs are recognizing the island’s role in the supply chain and talent pool for cutting-edge technologies like AI. The influx of tech industry leaders to Taiwan for events like Computex showcases the island’s significance in the AI revolution and the global semiconductor industry. With TSMC leading the way in chip manufacturing and Taiwan’s ecosystem supporting AI development, the island has become a powerhouse in the tech world, attracting attention from top CEOs and industry players.
