Applied Materials Inc., a leading American manufacturer of semiconductor production equipment, has made a significant move by acquiring a 9% stake in BE Semiconductor Industries NV (Besi), its partner in the development of artificial intelligence computing applications. This announcement has drawn attention from investors and analysts, highlighting the ongoing commitment of both companies to technological innovation.
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, startup Retym stands out as a beacon of innovation in the microchip industry. Specializing in digital signal processing (DSP), Retym attracted US$75 million this year as part of a total financing round of US$180 million. These funds are dedicated to developing cutting-edge network microchips tailored for artificial intelligence (AI) computations in modern data centers.
Amid escalating global efforts to regulate technological supply chains, Malaysia is set to implement new measures governing the import of high-performance microchips. This initiative comes under significant pressure from the USA, which is keen to restrict the flow of semiconductors used in artificial intelligence development toward China. According to a report by the Financial Times, these changes follow directives from American authorities who are particularly concerned about the destination of Nvidia chips.
Japanese company Resonac Holdings is once again making headlines with its bold strategic moves. Following successful debt reduction, the company has announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at finalizing transactions and taking part in the exit of a state-backed fund from JSR. These developments mark a significant turning point for the company and mirror current trends in the consolidation of the microchip industry.
