Advanced robots and artificial intelligence-powered drones will be two of the next key drivers for growth and innovation in the tech industry, according to C C Wei, chairman and CEO of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).
Speaking at Taiwan’s flagship tech conference on December 16, C C Wei highlighted the increasing need for the integration of hardware and software to power the next generation of AI devices.
“One area I would point out is multifunctional robots, which is the critical direction for the future,” Wei said. “I just spoke to the richest man in the world a few days ago, and he told me that multifunctional robots are the most critical area and that he is dedicating great efforts to it, rather than to cars.”
The “richest man” comment likely refers to Tesla founder Elon Musk, with whom Wei spoke recently. Tesla is a key TSMC client, as are all the major chip giants, from Nvidia and Apple to Amazon and Qualcomm. Musk and Tesla are developing Optimus, a humanoid robot designed to interact with its surroundings using two arms, hands and legs.
Wei said he and this person had discussed chips and that he told the other man: “If you are willing to pay us, then please don’t worry too much. I will make sure you get the chips.”
Developing robots that are not only precise but also more flexible like humans requires sophisticated chip designs integrated with software, he said. This is an area where Taiwan has the capability, environment and talent, he added, though further improvements are needed.
Wei said he was sharing his feedback about the industry based on discussions with top TSMC clients over the past two months. One topic that these customers always touched on, he said, was “AI and AI applications.”
The TSMC chairman said that Taiwan also has an edge in drones.
“Drones are a sector we have a good advantage in, and we have to focus on how to integrate precision machinery and software in this,” Wei said. “It is a very critical area and has a wide range of applications to help people in the future do various measurements, conduct various services and carry products.”
The third crucial area he highlighted is the use of AI to develop advanced energy technologies and optimize water and electricity usage. “At TSMC, we’ve successfully implemented AI to boost production efficiency, saving billions of dollars. This potential is immense, and all industries, including the government, should harness the power of AI,” Wei said.
“Taiwan has a lot of good chip design capabilities. We have a good chip manufacturing and packaging sector, and we have lots of companies that have technologies for building AI servers,” he noted. “All of these can help Taiwan play a critical role in the next AI era.”
The chairman’s remarks came at Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Conference, which is held every four years and brings together government officials, industry leaders, and academics to discuss the future of technology.