Is Taiwan's AI Advantage More Than Just TSMC? Veteran Tech Journalist Reveals the 'Unbeatable Key': It Has Become the Global Tech Ferry Crossing

Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), compared the development of artificial intelligence (AI) to baseball in May, stating bluntly, 'If it’s a nine-inning game, we’re only in the third inning.' She emphasized that many innovations are yet to come. In response, veteran tech journalist Lin Hongwen analyzed on the program 'Baojie Zai Shuo' that Taiwan’s potential in this race extends beyond TSMC. More importantly, Taiwan has become the industry’s 'ferry crossing,' and future opportunities in drones, robotics, and other fields also belong to Taiwan.

Lin Hongwen pointed out that, based on past trends—from personal computers (PCs), mobile phones, and the internet to today’s AI—each technological wave lasts about 8 to 10 years. AI, however, represents an even larger wave. 'Since ChatGPT emerged at the end of 2022, I’ve believed this will be a decade-long boom,' he said. Since 2022, only four years have passed, which is why Su described it as the 'third inning.'

Lin stated that Taiwanese companies will continue to find opportunities in the future because key components for the AI industry—such as chips and servers—are 'inextricably linked to Taiwan.' This is akin to the concept of a ferry crossing—'you must pass through it.' He emphasized that although a 'ferry crossing' doesn’t compete with customers, it is extremely difficult to replace. 'Just as the fastest way to get from Tamsui to Bali is by boat,' he explained.

Lin asserted that no matter which companies rise or fall in the future, they will all need to 'pass through' Taiwan. Taking TSMC as an example, from the PC era to smartphones and now AI, TSMC has consistently provided wafer foundry services, enabling it to engage in all kinds of business. Therefore, even if NVIDIA declines one day and a new company emerges, that company will still have to 'pass through' TSMC.

Lin emphasized that it’s not just TSMC—many of Taiwan’s supply chain manufacturers play the role of a 'ferry crossing.' Since they don’t compete with customers, future development opportunities in drones, robotics, and other areas also belong to Taiwan.