Business and Finance

Microsoft to set up AI R&D center in Taiwan

Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-01-10

Microsoft announced on Wednesday that it will set up an Artificial Intelligence (AI)

(CNA)

research & development center in Taiwan. Premier William Lai says the center will help build up Taiwan’s AI industry.

Microsoft says it will invest NT$1 billion within two years to build a 100-person team, and that it plans to expand the team to over 200 people in five years.

Premier William Lai says Microsoft is the first global company to invest in Taiwan’s AI industry.

With the help of Microsoft’s smart technology, Taiwan’s industry will become gold. The linking of smart technology will turn Taiwan’s Artificial Intelligence into an industry.
[FULL  STORY]

Premier Lai vows to turn Taiwan into ‘intelligent country’

Government should provide basis for digital progress

Taiwan News 
Date: 2018/01/10
By: Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Premier William Lai (賴清德) promised Wednesday that he

Premier William Lai addressing the CommonWealth Economic Forum Wednesday. (By Central News Agency)

would promote technological development and the digital sector to turn Taiwan into an “intelligent country.”

The promise came in a speech titled “Taiwan’s next step” and delivered at a CommonWealth Magazine forum about “Technology, Globalization and Humanity’s Future.”

“As long as I haven’t been replaced by Artificial Intelligence,” the premier joked, “I will promote every kind of policy … in order to improve the lives of our citizens,” the Chinese-language Liberty Times quoted him as saying.

Lai looked at Taiwan ten years from now, wondering if today’s vehicles would be replaced by self-driving cars or environmentally friendlier vehicles, and if citizens would have gone beyond mobile payment systems.

Hon Hai sales hit new high in 2017

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/01/10
By: Chung Jung-feng and Frances Huang

Taipei, Jan. 10 (CNA) Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., the world’s largest contract

CNA file photo

electronics maker, reported record high sales for 2017, which analysts attributed to increased iPhone orders from Apple Inc.

Hon Hai posted NT$4.7 trillion (US$159 billion) in consolidated sales for 2017, an 8.04 percent annual increase and the highest ever in the company’s history.

Hon Hai assembles iPhone and iPads for Apple and is believed to be the sole assembler of the premium iPhone X. In addition, Hon Hai also makes tech gadgets for many other international brands.

Its record-high sales in 2017 were driven by solid global demand for new electronics devices, particularly toward the end of the year, analysts said.    [FULL  STORY]

Far EasTone to double AI workforce

TALENT NEEDED: The telecom plans to increase recruitment of AI experts, including data scientists, to create models to help local industries shift to ‘smart’ manufacturing

Taipei Times
Date: Jan 11, 2018
By: Lisa Wang  /  Staff reporter

Far EasTone Telecommunications Co (遠傳電信) yesterday said it aims to double its data and artificial intelligence (AI)-related workforce over the next three years to cater to customers’ needs.

The initiative is part of efforts by the nation’s third-largest telecom to transform itself into a provider of new value-added services, such as information and communication technology and the Internet of Things.

Far EasTone last month began a major organizational restructuring effort, the largest in its history, to change into a “customer-centric” organization.

“Far EasTone has been working to foster AI talent. This year it is looking to step up recruitment of AI experts, including data scientists,” company president Yvonne Li (李彬) told reporters on the sidelines of a media briefing.    [FULL  STORY]

Cold weather a boon for Quang Viet Enterprise

Taipei Times
Date: Jan 10, 2018
By: Kuo Chia-erh  /  Staff reporter

Garment manufacturer Quang Viet Enterprise Co Ltd (廣越企業) yesterday said its revenue last year rose to a record high, thanks to growing demand for down jackets because of the recent extremely cold weather in North America.

Sales for the whole of last year totaled NT$10.2 billion (US$345.3 million), a 12.89 percent jump from NT$9.04 billion in 2016, the company said in a statement.

Quang Viet sales last month soared 53.68 percent year-on-year to NT$721.46 million from NT$469.45 million, the highest monthly result in its history.

“The company received some rush orders from overseas brand clients last month,” because of the colder-than-average weather, a Quang Viet investor relations official said by telephone.    [FULL  STORY]

Samsung announces availability of Galaxy A8 and A8+ 2018 in Taiwan

Samsung Electronics has announced the latest additions to the Galaxy A series: the Galaxy A8(2018) and A8+(2018)

Taiwan News 
Date: 2018/01/09
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)–Samsung Electronics has announced the latest additions to the

The Galaxy A8 and A8+ 2018 will be available in three colors in Taiwan around January 15 (photo courtesy of Samsung)

Galaxy A series: the Galaxy A8(2018) and A8+(2018).

The Galaxy A8 and A8+ 2018 will be available in Taiwan around January 15, the company said, adding that they will come in three colors, including black and gold.

The recommended prices for Galaxy A8 and A8+ are NT$14,990 and NT$17,990, respectively, according to a Samsung news release.

The tech giant’s new premium mid-range phones feature a Dual Front Camera, a large Infinity Display, ergonomic design that draws on Samsung’s flagship design heritage and experience, and additional everyday features, according to Samsung.    [FULL  STORY]

Worker at Hon Hai’s Zhengzhou plant jumps to death: reports

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/01/09
By Mou Tsung-han and Frances Huang

Taipei, Jan. 9 (CNA) A worker at a Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. production site in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, jumped to his death on Jan. 6, according to a Reuters report.

The report cited a statement by U.S-based labor rights advocacy group China Labor Watch (CLW) as saying a man named Li Ming (李明) jumped to his death from the 12th floor of a dormitory at the Zhengzhou plant.

The CLW statement said it is unknown why Li, 31, took his own life.

However, China-based news website Youth.cn has reported that Li committed suicide after his labor agent failed to pay him money he was owed.    [FULL  STORY]

Stronger NT dollar hurts Advantech

NO CONTROL: Chairman Liu Ke-cheng said the firm has set a target of double-digit growth in revenue and profit and it expects an industrial IoT boom to start this year

Taipei Times
Date: Jan 10, 2018
By: Lisa Wang  /  Staff reporter, in Taoyuan

Advantech Co (研華) aims to boost its revenue and net profit by a double-digit percentage this year in light of fledging demand for industrial Internet-of-Thighs (IoT) devices and recovering demand from US customers.

However, the strength of the New Taiwan dollar against the US dollar is likely to continue to weigh on the performance of the world’s largest industrial computer maker.

“The foreign exchange factor is the biggest risk. We are not worried about growth [momentum],” Advantech said.

The NT dollar’s 0.51 percent appreciation against the greenback eroded 7 percent of company’s revenue last month, Advantech said.    [FULL  STORY]

Exports in December hits a new high in single month

Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-01-08

Exports in Taiwan amounted to NT$29.5 billion (US$983 million) in December, which is a new high in single month in recent years. That’s according to the latest statistics released by the finance industry on Monday.

The ministry attributed to the growth to the global economic recovery, the growing demand for hand-held devices and consumer electronics products as well as the high prices for agricultural and raw industrial materials. The ministry also said rising oil prices and Apple’s launching new models were also a factor.

Taiwan’s exports gave registered growth for 15 consecutive months. China and Hong Kong account for 41% of Taiwan’s export market.    [FULL  STORY]

Gartner: Worldwide semiconductor revenue grew 22.2% in 2017, Samsung leads the pack

In 2017, worldwide semiconductor revenue totaled US$419.7 billion, a 22.2% increase from 2016, according to preliminary results by Gartner, Inc.

Taiwan News 
Date: 2018/01/08
By: George Liao, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News)—In 2017, worldwide semiconductor revenue totaled US$419.7

In 2017, worldwide semiconductor revenue totaled US$419.7 billion, according to preliminary results by Gartner (photo courtesy of TSMC)

billion, a 22.2% increase from 2016, according to preliminary results by Gartner, Inc.

The research and advisory company said that undersupply helped drive 64% revenue growth in the memory market, which accounted for 31% of total semiconductor revenue in 2017.

“The largest memory supplier, Samsung Electronics, gained the most market share and took the No. 1 position from Intel — the first time Intel has been toppled since 1992,” said Andrew Norwood, research vice president at Gartner. “Memory accounted for more than two-thirds of all semiconductor revenue growth in 2017, and became the largest semiconductor category.”

Higher prices due to a supply shortage were the key driver behind the booming memory revenue, Gartner said. NAND flash prices increased year over year for the first time ever, up 17%, while DRAM prices rose 44%, the company added.    [FULL  STORY]