Latest by
-
New Chinese Exit Regulations Raise Concerns for Taiwanese Semiconductor Executives China has implemented new exit regulations starting September 15, allowing the government to restrict citizens' departures if national industrial or technological security is threatened. This has raised alarms in Taiwan.The Mainland Affairs Council, Taiwan's agency overseeing cross-strait relations, reported that the new regulations could lead to information leaks, hinder business activities, and pose personal safety risks, particularly for Taiwanese business leaders and high-tech personnel.Given that China considers Taiwan part of its territory, there are concerns that these regulations may also apply to Taiwanese residents traveling to China.During a symposium in Taipei on the risks and impacts of the Chinese Communist Party's new exit management regulations, Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Shen Yung-chung stated, "Chinese authorities may require electronic devices to be checked and demand the submission of related documents and electronic materials during identity verification for exit and entry. This could expose corporate trade secrets or personal political statements."He emphasized that Taiwanese business leaders, executives, semiconductor and high-tech personnel, local government officials, and certain religious figures should carefully assess risks before visiting the mainland. He also advised registering travel information with Taiwanese authorities if necessary.Li Baowen, Deputy Secretary-General of the Taiwan Strait Exchange Foundation, noted that the risks are related to the type of information held, regardless of one's identity. He urged Taiwanese residents to prepare for risk assessments, information security management, and establishing emergency contact networks before visiting mainland China.According to the 'Exit and Entry Administration Regulations' effective from today, Chinese citizens may face exit restrictions if they violate export controls or technology export-import regulations that threaten national industrial or technological security.Notably, the regulations state that in cases affecting national security or criminal investigations, authorities may not inform individuals of the exit restrictions, reasons, basis, or remedies.Additionally, during the verification process of exit and entry, authorities may require the submission of not only documents and materials but also 'electronic materials.' Exit and entry individuals must comply with these requests, and failure to provide accurate information or making false statements may result in the denial of exit or entry permits. 2026-09-15 14:28:10 -
Three High School Friends Start New Lives Together in Haenam Three high school friends who have maintained their friendship for nearly 50 years are building new lives together in Haenam, South Korea, where they are farming side by side. After taking different paths in life, the friends reunited in their 60s to live as neighbors, helping each other with farming tasks, which has drawn attention. According to Haenam County, the trio consists of Lee Mu-sung, who is the representative, and his classmates Cho Han-ho and Jeong Ho-jin, all of whom entered high school together in 1977. Lee was the first to settle in Haenam, having lived there for 18 years. Following his lead, his two friends decided to move to Haenam, allowing them to reconnect as neighbors. They built their homes next to each other and assist one another during busy farming seasons by sharing labor. All three have backgrounds in civil engineering and architecture, which has aided their transition to farming. They have utilized their skills to construct their homes and cultivate their land, gradually establishing a foundation for rural life. Their journey has not been without challenges. Initially, they began farming sweet potatoes, a staple crop in Haenam, but later shifted their focus to fruit cultivation to differentiate themselves from other farms. Interestingly, the friends do not grow the same crops. Each has chosen a primary crop: Lee and his friends cultivate mini-apples like Ruby and Hongok, flat peaches, and eco-friendly grapes for school meals, respectively. They sell their produce through school meal programs, Haenam local food initiatives, and Haenam Miso, expanding their market reach. Although they farm in the same area, they have chosen different crops, fostering collaboration rather than competition by sharing farming experiences and assisting each other as needed. In the early stages of their farming journey, they also utilized support from local government agencies. This year, one of the friends was selected for Haenam County's '2026 Returnee Farmer Settlement Expansion Support Project,' receiving assistance with agricultural materials. Lee Mu-sung advises those dreaming of rural life not to be swayed solely by the romantic notion of country living when considering a return to farming. He stated, "Success in rural life cannot be achieved merely by romanticizing country living; it requires thorough preparation and effort. Utilizing Haenam's support policies and information can also aid in settling down successfully." He added, "I want to be a mentor for future returnees to Haenam, sharing methods for market development and experiences gained during the farming process." The story of the three friends has also been featured online. According to Haenam County, their settlement life was showcased on the YouTube channel 'Return to Farming Time' of the Seoul Center for Returnee Farmers and Rural Communities in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do, on September 4, garnering over 26,000 views within a week. Kim Hee-sun, head of the Returnee Farming and Rural Community Team at the Haenam Agricultural Technology Center, stated, "We will strengthen tailored support and on-site communication to help returnees settle stably in the community." Meanwhile, Haenam County is implementing various projects to support the stable settlement of returnees in rural areas, including farming settlement assistance. The county aims to ensure that returnees establish a sustainable income through agriculture and integrate with existing residents as community members.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 14:28:00
-
KakaoPay Launches 'Long-Lasting Together Store' Featuring 100 Small Brands in Seongsu-dong On September 14, the KakaoPay 'Long-Lasting Together Store' popup opened in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. Visitors were greeted by a subtle fragrance created in collaboration with the scent-focused small business brand 'Lysle.' The scent, along with landscaping, postcards, and shopping bags, reflected the contributions of participating brands. Rather than a temporary store for small business products, it resembled a large shop curated by 100 brands.The 'Long-Lasting Together Store' is a collaborative campaign between KakaoPay and the Together Foundation aimed at supporting the growth of small businesses. Over the past three years, 264 brands have participated, attracting more than 400,000 visitors both online and offline. This year, 100 new brands will engage with consumers until October 31.The store prioritizes showcasing the reasons behind the creation of products and the selection of materials over just the products and prices. Items are arranged according to five themes: sincerity, sensibility, daily life, sustainability, and locality, featuring eco-friendly household goods, local agricultural products, and stationery.The layout resembles an exhibition space rather than a typical store. It includes an area introducing the journey of KakaoPay and small businesses, an 'atelier' inspired by the brands' raw materials, and six zones for sales, tastings, and relaxation.The experience program incorporates KakaoPay's payment technology. Visitors can purchase a 'Long-Use Voucher' for 1,000 won through KakaoPay, allowing them to participate in a lucky draw and the 'Long Table' event. All proceeds from voucher sales will be reinvested to support the growth of small businesses.Song Su-ji, head of KakaoPay's CR team, stated, "We wanted to create a space where customers can experience and discover the value of small brands." Lee Yun-geun, head of KakaoPay's ESG Council, added, "We will support small brands with unique stories to be discovered and grow among more consumers." 2026-09-15 14:24:10
-
377 Groups Demand Rejection of Education Finance Reform Proposal The voices of education, labor, and civil society are rising against the government's unilateral proposal to reform the local education finance law, demanding an immediate halt to the National Assembly's rushed review and approval process. On the morning of September 15, 377 groups from education, labor, parents, students, and civil society participated in an emergency action against the 2026 education finance reform at a tent protest in front of the National Assembly. They condemned the government's push to reform the local education finance law and declared a nationwide struggle to maintain the 20.79% tax linkage system. The emergency action criticized the government's decision to submit a proposal to the National Assembly after only five days of legislative notice, without discussions with educational stakeholders, calling it "backroom governance" and an "undermining of educational autonomy." They urged the National Assembly to reject the bill. Education Leaders: Budget Cuts Unacceptable Amid Rising Fixed Costs and Welfare Needs Education and labor leaders at the event sharply criticized the government's rationale for reducing education funding due to declining student numbers. Park Young-hwan, chairman of the National Teachers' Union, stated, "The government claims that per-student grants increase as student numbers decrease, but fixed costs for maintaining schools, classes, and staff constitute a significant portion of the budget. In a time of rising prices and labor costs, freezing the budget equates to cuts, and the National Assembly must intervene against this reckless policy that ignores the need for quality investments in basic education support and special education expansion." Hong Seong-hee, secretary-general of the Teachers' Labor Union Federation, pointed out the loss of procedural legitimacy. She said, "The government has pushed the bill through an unprecedented rushed process of just five days of legislative notice, ignoring the voices from the field. With many pressing issues in schools, such as overcrowded classrooms and the protection of educational activities, they are shifting the responsibility while tightening the budget. We urge the National Assembly to uphold the 20.79% tax linkage system and reject this hasty reform proposal." Kang Hye-seung, co-representative of the Seoul Education Council, emphasized the essence of education investment. She remarked, "The talents that create Korea's semiconductor and K-culture ultimately start from early and secondary education. Instead of reducing education funding due to declining student numbers, we should discuss what additional responsibilities the state must take in providing personalized education and supporting students' mental health." Press Conference Statement: Centralization of Education Finance Destroys Autonomy, We Will Fight Back Kim Hak-han, policy director of the National Movement for Free University Education, Kim Sung-hyun, head of the National Public Workers' Union Education Headquarters, Choi Soon-im, chair of the National Women's Labor Union, and Kang Joo-ho, president of the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations, read a joint statement at the press conference. They stated, "The government claims that the new grant law will increase funding compared to the previous year, but this is a misleading perception based on the main budget excluding supplementary budgets, which does not meet the rate of essential cost increases, thus actually reducing the capacity for education finance." They also condemned the government's proposal to convert part of the education finance into a fund managed by the Ministry of Planning and Budget, stating that it would strengthen central government control and weaken the autonomy of local education authorities, severely undermining local educational autonomy. Furthermore, they warned that if the government and National Assembly proceed with unilateral legal amendments, they will expand their nationwide actions, including a signature campaign, one-person protests, and local citizen actions, to fight until the end. They reiterated their demands for an immediate halt to the reform of the local education finance law, maintenance of the 20.79% tax linkage system, and cessation of backroom governance while calling for the establishment of a public discourse body. According to a report presented at the press conference, education and civil society groups held an initial emergency press conference on July 21, demanding a halt to the reduction of grants, and officially launched the "emergency action" on August 4. Following this, they held a resolution rally in front of the Blue House on August 10-11 and delivered a petition signed by 34,929 citizens on August 18. However, on August 21, the government announced the proposal to abolish the tax linkage system and submitted the bill to the National Assembly on September 3 after just five days of legislative notice. In response, the emergency action began a tent protest in front of the National Assembly on September 7, marking its ninth day on September 16, and plans to participate as discussants in the National Assembly's Education Committee public hearing to highlight the unjust nature of the government's reform proposal and call for thorough deliberation. 2026-09-15 14:24:00
-
Samsung SDI Shares Rise Over 3% Amid U.S. Efforts to Curb Chinese Battery Technology Samsung SDI shares have surged over 3% during trading hours. This increase comes as expectations grow for domestic battery companies to benefit from U.S. efforts to restrict Chinese battery technology, supported by positive forecasts from analysts.According to the Korea Exchange, as of 2:11 PM on September 15, Samsung SDI shares were trading at 548,000 won, up 16,000 won (3.01%) from the previous trading day.Other companies in the secondary battery sector, such as Lotte Energy Materials (up 2.48%), EcoPro BM (up 1.64%), and EcoPro (up 1.59%), also showed strong performance. Additionally, SK Innovation (up 3.22%) and LG Energy Solution (up 3.27%), both considered part of the 'big three' battery companies in South Korea alongside Samsung SDI, saw gains.This positive trend follows a public letter from the U.S. Department of Transportation criticizing Ford for its battery technology collaboration with China's CATL, which has heightened expectations for domestic battery firms.Analysts have also expressed optimism regarding Samsung SDI. NH Investment & Securities raised its target price for Samsung SDI by 22% to 730,000 won while maintaining a 'buy' rating. Research analyst Jumin Woo stated, "The preference for prismatic and cylindrical batteries is increasing, enhancing order competitiveness, and visibility for energy storage system (ESS) orders is also improving. We expect third-quarter operating profit to reach 260.3 billion won, significantly exceeding the market expectation of 107 billion won."Kim Cheol-jung, an analyst at Mirae Asset Securities, also projected that third-quarter operating profit would be 302.3 billion won, surpassing market consensus, and noted that the company is likely to record surprise results for three consecutive quarters. Mirae Asset Securities maintained a 'buy' rating and a target price of 1 million won for Samsung SDI.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 14:20:20
-
Four Recipients Selected for the 22nd Gyeongam Prize The Gyeongam Education and Culture Foundation announced on September 15, 2026, the selection of four recipients for the 22nd Gyeongam Prize: Professor Zhang Haseok from the University of Cambridge, Professor Park Nam-kyu from Sungkyunkwan University, Associate Professor Noh Seong-hoon from Seoul National University, and Professor Kim Sang-wook from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST).Professor Zhang, the recipient in the humanities and social sciences category, is recognized for pioneering 'action-oriented realism,' a perspective that views scientific knowledge not merely as information but as a capacity for action. His book, 'Inventing Temperature,' offers a rational and philosophical understanding of science and technology, and he has received the prestigious Lakatos Award in the global philosophy of science community.In the natural sciences category, Professor Park is acknowledged for developing the world's first 'long-term stable solid-state perovskite solar cells.' By utilizing inorganic-organic halide perovskites as solid light absorbers, he has overcome the limitations of traditional liquid electrolyte solar cells, presenting a new paradigm in next-generation renewable energy research.Associate Professor Noh, awarded in the life sciences category, has developed unique technologies and analytical methods to observe how proteins are produced, acquire proper shapes, and function within cells. His research findings have been published in leading journals such as Nature, Cell, and Science, and are expected to contribute to understanding the causes of cancer and degenerative brain diseases, as well as new drug development.Professor Kim, recognized in the engineering category, has pioneered the field of 'molecular assembly of nanomaterials,' academically establishing it and expanding its industrial applicability. He has applied polymer nanomaterial self-assembly technology to next-generation semiconductor processes and commercialized graphene technology through startups. He has also developed graphene-based artificial muscles and single-atom catalyst technology.This year's recipients were selected from 55 candidates recommended by university presidents, deans, and leaders of major academic societies. The selection process involved two rounds of evaluations by a panel of experts and final deliberations by the Gyeongam Prize Committee. Each recipient will receive a cash prize of 300 million won and a plaque.The award ceremony is scheduled for November 6 at the Gyeongam Hall in Seomyeon, Busan. The Gyeongam Prize is an academic award established in 2004 by the late Song Geum-jo, who donated his estate to create the Gyeongam Education and Culture Foundation, marking its 22nd year since the first awards were presented in 2005.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 14:20:20
-
Gangnam and Seocho See Declines as Seongbuk Rises 1.83%: Seoul Housing Prices Driven by Outer Areas The upward trend in Seoul's housing prices continues, but significant regional disparities are emerging. While Gangnam and Seocho districts have seen declines, Seongbuk and Nowon districts recorded nearly 2% increases, indicating that the rise in Seoul's housing prices is being led by northern and outer areas.According to the Korea Real Estate Agency's 'August National Housing Price Trend Survey' released on the 15th, the comprehensive housing price in Seoul rose by 0.97% last month, significantly outpacing the national increase of 0.32% and the metropolitan area’s rise of 0.63%. However, this marks a slowdown compared to the previous month’s increase of 0.35%.Within Seoul, the trends varied by region. In the northern area, Seongbuk recorded the highest increase among the 25 districts at 1.83%. Nowon, driven by development expectations in Sanggye and Wolgye-dong, rose by 1.77%, while Seodaemun increased by 1.64%, primarily in the Namgajwa and Hongje-dong areas. Jungnang also saw a rise of 1.53%, centered around the Shinnae and Myeonmok-dong complexes.In contrast, Gangnam experienced a decline of 0.18%, particularly in the mid-to-large housing market in Apgujeong-dong and Daechi-dong. Seocho also saw a slight decrease of 0.01% in major complexes in Jamwon and Banpo-dong. However, areas within Gangnam that have relatively lower price burdens, such as Gwanak (1.15%), Gangseo (1.10%), and Guro (1.07%), continued to see increases in the 1% range.From January to August this year, the cumulative increase in housing prices in Seoul reached 6.68%. By housing type, apartments rose by 1.05%, surpassing the overall housing increase, while multi-family homes and single-family homes increased by 0.93% and 0.42%, respectively.In the provinces, Jeonbuk recorded the highest increase at 0.23%, with prices rising mainly in large complexes in Deokjin and Wansan districts. Ulsan saw a 0.20% increase, primarily in major complexes in Nam and Buk districts, while Chungbuk rose by 0.17% in Cheongju's Heungdeok district and Chungju. Daejeon experienced a 0.09% increase, mainly in Seo-gu.The rental market in Seoul also showed notable increases. Last month, the comprehensive jeonse price in Seoul rose by 0.83%, outpacing the national increase of 0.35% and the metropolitan area’s rise of 0.63%.Particularly in the northern areas where sales prices have surged, rental prices also recorded high increases. Nowon saw the highest rise in Seoul at 1.58%, centered around the Sanggye and Junggye-dong subway stations. Seongbuk (1.38%), Seodaemun (1.16%), Gangbuk (1.13%), and Dobong (1.06%) also exceeded the city average.A representative from the Korea Real Estate Agency stated, "The upward trend continues in Seoul and the metropolitan area, with steady demand for regions with high residential preference, although some areas are experiencing price adjustments. While some downward adjustments in listings have led to decreased transactions, increases have been recorded in high-demand large complexes, transit-oriented developments, and small to medium-sized homes."He added, "In the rental market, prices have risen in areas with sustained tenant demand, such as school districts and large complexes with favorable living conditions."* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 14:20:10
-
Majority of Seoul's Building Sellers in Their 50s Among sellers applying to sell buildings in Seoul, those in their 50s represent the largest group.On September 15, an analysis by Jipum based on data from the Supreme Court's registration information center revealed that there were a total of 16,126 applications to sell buildings in Seoul's 25 districts in August. This marks an increase of 448 (2.9%) from July's 15,678 applications, but a decrease of 1,812 (10.1%) compared to 17,938 applications in August of the previous year.The data on sellers applying for ownership transfer registration (sales) is compiled by age group from applications received for ownership transfer registration due to sales. This analysis focused on buildings in Seoul's 25 districts.By age group, sellers aged 50 to 59 numbered 4,070, making up 25.2% of all applicants. This was followed by those aged 60 to 69 with 3,690 (22.9%), 40 to 49 with 3,557 (22.1%), those aged 70 and older with 2,846 (17.6%), and those aged 30 to 39 with 1,719 (10.7%).Sellers in their 50s outnumbered those in their 30s by 2,351, more than double the latter's count. When combining sellers in their 50s and 60s, they accounted for 7,760 individuals, or 48.1% of the total.By district, Songpa had the highest number of total sellers at 1,446, followed by Nowon with 1,124, Gangnam with 1,011, Gangdong with 904, and Gangseo with 866.The top five districts accounted for a total of 5,351 sellers, representing 33.2% of the total in Seoul.Focusing solely on sellers aged 50 to 59, Songpa again led with 361, followed by Nowon with 345, Gangnam with 293, Eunpyeong with 242, and Seongbuk with 222.Compared to the previous month, the changes in the number of sellers varied by district.Gangdong saw the largest increase, rising from 717 in July to 904 in August, an increase of 187 (26.1%). Yeongdeungpo increased from 640 to 822, a rise of 182 (28.4%), while Songpa grew from 1,276 to 1,446, an increase of 170 (13.3%). Seocho and Mapo also saw increases of 165 and 91, respectively. In total, 14 districts reported an increase in seller applications compared to the previous month.Conversely, Gangseo saw a decrease from 1,037 to 866, a drop of 171 (16.5%). Gwangjin fell from 600 to 472, a decrease of 128 (21.3%), and Gwanak dropped from 678 to 562, a reduction of 116 (17.1%). In total, 11 districts reported a decrease in seller applications compared to the previous month.A Jipum official stated, "In August 2026, the number of sellers applying to sell buildings in Seoul was highest among those aged 50 to 59, with 4,070 individuals. In Songpa, there were 361 sellers in this age group. By examining the overall and district-specific age composition, we can identify differences in the status of seller applications."Additionally, Jipum reported on September 9 that there were 365,057 owners of buildings aged 19 to 39 across the 25 districts of Seoul in July.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 14:20:10
-
Jangheung Musan Seaweed Exports 5,000 Boxes to the U.S., Expanding Overseas Market Jangheung Musan Seaweed, produced in Jangheung, is set to make its debut in the U.S. market as the company prepares to expand its overseas sales channels.On June 14, Jangheung Musan Seaweed Co. held a ceremony to load 5,000 boxes of seaweed for export to the United States, the company announced on June 15.The export volume is valued at approximately 50 million won and is a follow-up to a memorandum of understanding signed on June 1 between Jangheung Musan Seaweed Co., Jangheung County, and K Global Food.At that time, the three parties agreed to collaborate to enhance the export competitiveness of local specialties and expand overseas sales channels. This initial shipment to the U.S. marks the beginning of a strengthened cooperative framework for exploring international markets.Jangheung Musan Seaweed Co. aims to use this export as an opportunity to validate its product competitiveness in the U.S. market and plans to pursue continuous increases in export volume and diversification of its overseas distribution network.Expanding the overseas market for locally produced Musan seaweed is significant not only for the exporting company but also for local fishing households and the processing and distribution sectors, potentially benefiting the entire regional fishery industry.Jangheung County also plans to continue supporting efforts to ensure that the overseas expansion of local seafood products is not a one-time event, focusing on market development and expanding export foundations.Jangheung Musan Seaweed Co. intends to gradually expand its target countries and distribution networks, enhancing its brand competitiveness as a representative seafood product of Jangheung.Kim Hyung-soo, CEO of Jangheung Musan Seaweed Co., stated, “This export to the U.S. is the first step in introducing the quality of Jangheung Musan Seaweed to the international market. We will expand our presence in overseas markets, including the U.S., based on our collaboration with Jangheung County and K Global Food.”Jeong Jong-hoon, head of the Jangheung County Fisheries Department, remarked, “The expansion of exports by local companies is expected to contribute not only to the growth of these businesses but also to the expansion of sales channels for local seafood and the revitalization of the regional economy. We will continue to promote export foundations and support projects to help our excellent seafood products enter international markets.”Meanwhile, Jangheung Musan Seaweed Co. is a local seafood company based in Gwanseon-eup, Jangheung County, producing and selling a variety of products made from Musan seaweed. With this export to the U.S., Jangheung County plans to enhance the added value of local seafood products and secure stable overseas sales channels through strengthened cooperation with exporting companies.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 14:20:10
-
AI Development Concerns Impact Semiconductor Stocks Concerns from global AI leaders about slowing the pace of artificial intelligence (AI) development have shaken semiconductor stocks. However, a closer look at the discussions reveals that they are not advocating for a complete halt to AI development.Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, argued in a public statement on September 12 titled 'We Must Pace the Frontier' that the speed of performance improvements in cutting-edge AI should be regulated to a level that safety technologies can keep up with.As AI is increasingly used to develop next-generation AI, the pace of technological advancement is accelerating, while safety measures are struggling to keep pace. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, and Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, also expressed agreement on the need for speed regulation.The market reacted immediately. On September 14, the KOSPI index fell by 3.26%, with Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix dropping 4.05% and 6.35%, respectively. In the global market, AI semiconductor stocks, including Nvidia, also showed weakness. However, the stock market is facing other challenges, including rising international oil prices and interest rate pressures, in addition to the AI controversy.Amodei clarified that speed regulation does not mean stopping model training or technological advancement itself. Instead, he proposed that external evaluators verify the internal models and training processes of AI companies, ensuring that safety standards are met when a model reaches a certain level of capability. Altman also stated, 'When we talk about speed regulation, we do not mean 'stopping.' Progress has been rapid and will continue to be, but it should be slower than it would be without any intervention.'The semiconductor industry’s sensitive reaction is not merely a market misunderstanding. Amodei mentioned that speed regulation could involve limiting the computing resources and training methods used for models, as well as the development of AI using AI. He also noted that a comprehensive speed regulation or temporary halt to significantly limit the pace of AI development through international agreements is a long-term option, although he believes such an agreement is unlikely to be realized soon.Training cutting-edge AI models requires large-scale GPUs and high-bandwidth memory (HBM). If the scale or frequency of training is limited, the previously assumed growth rate of semiconductor demand for AI could also decline. Reuters reported that if speed regulation becomes a reality, it could pose challenges for companies like Nvidia that directly benefit from AI training infrastructure.However, there are currently no common regulations in place that forcibly limit the training scale of AI companies. Amodei's proposals are still largely in the suggestion phase. He believes that limiting the pace of AI development between countries is difficult due to verification and competitive issues.Notably, AI computing demand is not solely dependent on training. AI computing demand is divided into training for creating new models and inference for using already developed models. McKinsey forecasts that global data center AI inference demand will increase from 20.9 GW in 2025 to 93.3 GW by 2030, surpassing training demand of 62.2 GW during the same period. This projection pertains to data center power demand and does not directly predict specific GPU or HBM sales figures.The key question is where AI semiconductor demand will decrease and where it will increase. If AI speed regulation is institutionalized, it may burden the demand for semiconductors used in training frontier models, but the inference demand driven by the expansion of AI services remains a separate growth variable.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-09-15 14:20:00