Taiwan’s annual Computex trade show, running from May 20 to 23, is gearing up to spotlight the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and showcase some of the industry’s biggest names. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who sparked “Jensanity” with his keynote last year, will return alongside other top executives like Qualcomm’s Cristiano Amon and Foxconn Chairman Young Liu.
With around 1,400 exhibitors expected, Computex will be the first major tech gathering in Asia since the U.S. announced plans in April to impose reciprocal tariffs. These tariffs threaten to disrupt the global supply chain, especially for companies that rely heavily on Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem.
Ian Cutress, chief analyst at More Than Moore, explained the shift in focus: “If last year’s headline was AI PCs, this year it’s probably going to be about collaboration, driven by the macroeconomics.”
Huang is set to deliver a keynote on Monday where he will likely announce new partnerships between Nvidia and Taiwanese AI server manufacturers such as Foxconn and Quanta. “Nvidia depends heavily on Taiwan’s ecosystem,” Cutress said, hinting that Huang might address the political tensions surrounding tariffs.
In April, Nvidia revealed plans to produce $500 billion worth of AI servers in the U.S. over the next four years, collaborating with companies like TSMC, Foxconn, and Wistron. Both Nvidia and AMD also face tougher export controls on advanced AI graphics processing units destined for China.
Qualcomm will update the industry on its AI PC progress, while MediaTek intends to showcase its vision for edge AI — AI technology that processes data on local devices rather than relying solely on cloud computing. AMD will highlight its breakthroughs in gaming and AI-driven personal computers.
Notably, Intel’s new CEO Lip-Bu Tan will not speak publicly at Computex but will hold private meetings with Taiwanese partners.
Returning to the event after a decade, Taiwan’s Advantech, the world’s largest industrial computer maker, plans to present its AI systems. Its chairman, K.C. Liu, praised Huang’s influence in transforming Computex from a consumer electronics show into a major platform for technological innovation and business-focused products.
“Taiwan has changed,” Liu said. “The entire industry has shifted toward AI, so it’s no longer enough to focus solely on consumer products.”
As Computex unfolds, the event will reflect the evolving landscape of technology and trade amid growing geopolitical challenges, placing AI innovation at the forefront while navigating the complexities of U.S.-Taiwan-China relations.
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