TOKYO -- 2024 started out as the year of the EV, with Elon Musk warning of China's runaway growth in the segment and governments across Asia rolling out incentives to boost purchases.
But the wind went out of the sector's sails and another two-letter tech trend took center stage: AI.
Artificial intelligence has attracted billions of dollars in investment and fueled dreams of another industrial revolution, unlocking massive growth and productivity gains. AI has also become a major battleground in U.S.-China tech tensions, as Washington and Beijing both seek to write the rules of the emerging technology.
Behind the AI frenzy is, of course, the hardware. Nvidia of the U.S. remained the undisputed king of chips and graphics processing units, helped by two of Asia's most important tech companies: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and compatriot Foxconn.
But AI is not the only trend fueling chip investment in Asia. Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand are seizing opportunities to woo chipmakers and others in the tech supply chain looking to reduce their exposure to China. Japan, too, hopes to regain its once-formidable standing in the chip industry -- an effort that legendary TSMC founder Morris Chang believes has every chance of paying off.
Cross-border tensions also continued to buffet two of the best-known Chinese companies: Huawei Technologies and TikTok owner ByteDance. The former has built up a formidable domestic supply chain to counter a half-decade U.S. crackdown, while the latter is hoping for a reprieve in the American market from incoming President Donald Trump.
As we prepare for a potentially turbulent year ahead, let's take a look back at some of Nikkei Asia's best read and most compelling reporting of 2024.
A list of our most read stories on tech in 2024:
- Elon Musk: China automakers would 'demolish' rivals without trade barriers
- TSMC founder Morris Chang predicts Japan 'chip renaissance'
- TikTok sell or ban bill passes U.S. House despite Trump opposition
- Malaysia's Sarawak seeks to turn itself into a chip design hub
- Huawei breaks free from Google ecosystem with homegrown OS
- China's Great Wall Motor shuts Europe headquarters, fires all staff: sources
- Thai subsidies for Chinese EV makers wreak havoc on auto sector
- China's chip capabilities just 3 years behind TSMC, teardown shows
- Japan's Shimano gives cyclists an easier ride with AI gear shifter
- Cryptocurrencies flying high in India despite tough regulations
- Japan, South Korea struggle to reduce reliance on China tech materials
- What Intel CEO Gelsinger's exit means for TSMC and Samsung
Don't forget to also check out the Tech Latest podcast, where we deliver the hottest trends and news from the sector. Our first episode of 2025 will be out on Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Find our tech coverage here, and register for our weekly #techAsia newsletter here. The next newsletter will be published on Jan, 9.
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