Semiconductor News 20250823

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1. U.S. Government Takes Large Stake in Intel, Conditions for Sale of Foundry Business The U.S. government has approved $8.9 billion for the acquisition of Intel stock, giving it a 9.9% stake in lieu of a subsidy. Measures have also been formulated for chipmakers to sell 49% or more of their foundry businesses. Intel shares surged after the Federal Reserve chairman’s hint of a rate cut, driving the semiconductor sector’s overall valuation higher. SoftBank also invested $2 billion in Intel.
2. NVIDIA ‘s Next-Generation AI Architecture “Rubin” Enters Prototype Production; H20 Production for China Halted NVIDIA CEO Jensen Fan confirmed that the company’s** “Rubin” platform has entered prototype production at TSMC. Meanwhile, NVIDIA has reportedly halted production of H20 GPUs** after the Chinese government became hostile to NVIDIA’s H20 GP Us, as NVIDIA seeks a generational shift in AI semiconductors for the Chinese market.
3. Samsung Strengthens 2 nm Chip Technology and Develops On-Device AI Chip Samsung is strengthening its 2nm chip competitiveness with Hyper Cell technology; DEEPX has signed a 2nm process agreement with Samsung Foundry to develop **the world’s first on-device generated AI chip, the DX-M2**. Xiaomi is also aiming for 2nm and beyond technology in its next generation XRing O2 chip.
4. Google’s Tensor G5 to use TSMC’s latest 3nm “N3P” process first Google’s Tensor G5 will reportedly use TSMC’s latest 3nm “N3P” process, and Google will launch its first silicon chip with this lithography ahead of Apple Google will announce its first silicon chip with this lithography ahead of Apple.
5. Apple in talks to introduce Google’s Gemini AImodel for improved Siri Apple is in talks to introduce Google’s Gemini AI model for an improved Siri, making Google the third company to partner with Apple after OpenAI and Anthropic. This will make Google the third partner after OpenAI and Anthropic.
6. TSMC ‘s Business Strategy Shift: Exit from GaN Business and Review of CHIPS Act Subsidies TSMC has decided to exit its GaN business, which is expected to have ripple effects on the global power and RF markets. TSMC is also reportedly considering returning subsidies under the U.S. CHIPS Act, questioning the transaction value of the Trump administration’s “equity allocation subsidy” model TSMC has also decided to exit legacy fabs.
7. Conclusion of the battle between Yageo and Minebea Mitsumi for Shibaura Electronics Yageo raised its offer for Shibaura Electronics again and moved to challenge Minebea Mitsumi, but Minebea Mitsumi’s CEO later announced that he would withdraw from the TOB price competition, bringing an end to the battle for Shibaura Electronics.
8. Intel Begins Licensing Glass Substrate Technology Intel will reportedly begin licensing glass substrates for semiconductors, a potential boon for Samsung and Absolics. Intel is shifting from in-house production to outsourcing and has indicated that it will not abandon its glass substrate technology but will license it to outside parties.
9. Taiwan’s Nuclear Resumption Referendum to Address Semiconductor and AI Electricity Demand Taiwan will hold a referendum on the resumption of nuclear power plant operations on August 23. This is in response to an important energy supply challenge: how to meet the growing power demands of the semiconductor and AI industries.
10. Concerns about AI Investment Outcomes and Growing “AI Bubble Theory ” The survey indicates that 95% of companies report that they have yet to realize the benefits of their AI investments, which could lead to the spread of ” AI bubble theory.” This indicates a sober market view of major investments in the AI field.

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