Semiconductors

Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 by Qualcomm brings faster AI performance to flagship phones

Qualcomm has introduced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Mobile Platform, positioning it as a premium upgrade that elevates performance, AI capability, and gaming. The company says the new chipset responds to growing demand for more advanced features in flagship smartphones.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 includes an enhanced sensing hub that wakes an AI assistant when a user picks up their device. Qualcomm says the platform supports agentic AI functions through the updated AI Engine, enabling more context-aware interactions and personalised assistance directly on the device.

The system is powered by the custom Oryon CPU, reaching speeds up to 3.8 GHz and delivering notable improvements in responsiveness and web performance. Qualcomm reports a 36% increase in overall processing power and an 11% boost to graphics output through its updated Adreno GPU architecture.

Qualcomm executives say the refreshed platform will bring high-end performance to more markets. Chris Patrick, senior vice-president for mobile handsets, says Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 is built to meet rising demands for speed, efficiency, and intelligent features.

Qualcomm confirmed that the chipset will appear in upcoming flagship devices from manufacturers including iQOO, Honor, Meizu, Motorola, OnePlus, and vivo. The company expects the platform to anchor next-generation models entering global markets in the months ahead.

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AI development by Chinese companies shifts abroad

Leading Chinese technology companies are increasingly training their latest AI models outside the country to maintain access to Nvidia’s high-performance chips, according to a report by the Financial Times. Firms such as Alibaba and ByteDance are shifting parts of their AI development to data centres in Southeast Asia, a move that comes as the United States tightens restrictions on advanced chip exports to China.

The trend reportedly accelerated after Washington imposed new limits in April on the sale of Nvidia’s H20 chips, a key component for developing sophisticated large language models. By relying on leased server space operated by non-Chinese companies abroad, tech firms are able to bypass some of the effects of US export controls while continuing to train next-generation AI systems.

One notable exception is DeepSeek, which had already stockpiled a significant number of Nvidia chips before the export restrictions took effect. The company continues to train its models domestically and is now collaborating with Chinese chipmakers led by Huawei to develop and optimise homegrown alternatives to US hardware.

Neither Alibaba, ByteDance, Nvidia, DeepSeek, nor Huawei has commented publicly on the report, and Reuters stated that it could not independently verify the claims. However, the developments underscore the increasing complexity of global AI competition and the lengths to which companies may go to maintain technological momentum amid geopolitical pressure.

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White House launches Genesis Mission for AI-driven science

Washington prepares for a significant shift in research as the White House launches the Genesis Mission, a national push to accelerate innovation through advanced AI. The initiative utilises AI to enhance US US technological leadership in a competitive global landscape.

The programme puts the Department of Energy at the centre, tasked with building a unified AI platform linking supercomputers, federal datasets and national laboratories.

The goal is to develop AI models and agents that automate experiments, test hypotheses and accelerate breakthroughs in key scientific fields.

Federal agencies, universities and private firms will conduct coordinated research using shared data spaces, secure computing and standardised partnership frameworks. Priority areas cover biotechnology, semiconductors, quantum science, critical materials and next-generation energy.

Officials argue that the Genesis Mission represents one of the most ambitious attempts to modernise US research infrastructure. Annual reviews will track scientific progress, security, collaborations and AI-driven breakthroughs.

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NVIDIA powers a new wave of specialised AI agents to transform business

Agentic AI has entered a new phase as companies rely on specialised systems instead of broad, one-size-fits-all models.

Open-source foundations, such as NVIDIA’s Neuron family, now allow organisations to combine internal knowledge with tailored architectures, leading to agents that understand the precise demands of each workflow.

Firms across cybersecurity, payments and semiconductor engineering are beginning to treat specialisation as the route to genuine operational value.

CrowdStrike is utilising Nemotron and NVIDIA NIM microservices to enhance its Agentic Security Platform, which supports teams by handling high-volume tasks such as alert triage and remediation.

Accuracy has risen from 80 to 98.5 percent, reducing manual effort tenfold and helping analysts manage complex threats with greater speed.

PayPal has taken a similar path by building commerce-focused agents that enable conversational shopping and payments, cutting latency nearly in half while maintaining the precision required across its global network of customers and merchants.

Synopsys is deploying agentic AI throughout chip design workflows by pairing open models with NVIDIA’s accelerated infrastructure. Early trials in formal verification show productivity improvements of 72 percent, offering engineers a faster route to identifying design errors.

The company is blending fine-tuned models with tools such as the NeMo Agent Toolkit and Blueprints to embed agentic support at every stage of development.

Across industries, strategic steps are becoming clear. Organisations begin by evaluating open models before curating and securing domain-specific data and then building agents capable of acting on proprietary information.

Continuous refinement through a data flywheel strengthens long-term performance.

NVIDIA aims to support the shift by promoting Nemotron, NeMo and its broader software ecosystem as the foundation for the next generation of specialised enterprise agents.

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Japan boosts Rapidus with major semiconductor funding

Japan will inject more than one trillion yen (approximately 5.5 billion €) into chipmaker Rapidus between 2026 and 2027. The plan aims to fortify national economic security by rebuilding domestic semiconductor capacity after decades of reliance on overseas suppliers.

Rapidus intends to begin producing 2-nanometre chips in late 2027 as global demand for faster, AI-ready components surges. The firm expects overall investment to reach seven trillion yen and hopes to list publicly around 2031.

Japanese government support includes large subsidies and direct investment that add to earlier multi-year commitments. Private contributors, including Toyota and Sony, previously backed the venture, which was founded in 2022 to revive Japan’s cutting-edge chip ambitions.

Officials argue that advanced production is vital for technological competitiveness and future resilience. Critics to this investment note that there are steep costs and high risks, yet policymakers view the Rapidus investment as crucial to keeping pace with technological advancements.

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EU approves funding for a new Onsemi semiconductor facility in the Czech Republic

The European Commission has approved €450 million in Czech support for a new integrated Onsemi semiconductor facility in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm.

A project that will help strengthen Europe’s technological autonomy by advancing Silicon Carbide power device production instead of relying on non-European manufacturing.

The Czech Republic plans to back a €1.64 billion investment that will create the first EU facility covering every stage from crystal growth to finished components. These products will be central to electric vehicles, fast charging systems and renewable energy technologies.

Onsemi has agreed to contribute new skills programmes, support the development of next-generation 200 mm SiC technology and follow priority-rated orders in future supply shortages.

The Commission reviewed the measure under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and concluded that the aid is necessary, proportionate and limited to the minimum required to trigger the investment.

In a scheme that addresses a segment of the semiconductor market where the EU lacks sufficient supply, which improves resilience rather than distorts competition.

The facility is expected to begin commercial activity by 2027 and will support the wider European semiconductor ecosystem.

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Nokia to invest 4 billion in AI-ready US networks

Nokia has announced a $4 billion expansion of its US research, development, and manufacturing operations to accelerate AI-ready networking technologies. The move builds on Nokia’s earlier $2.3 billion US investment via Infinera and semiconductor manufacturing plans.

The expanded investment will support mobile, fixed access, IP, optical, data centre networking, and defence solutions. Approximately $3.5 billion will be allocated for R&D, with $500 million dedicated to manufacturing and capital expenditures in Texas, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Nokia aims to advance AI-optimised networks with enhanced security, productivity, and energy efficiency. The company will also focus on automation, quantum-safe networks, semiconductor testing, and advanced material sciences to drive innovation.

Officials highlight the strategic impact of Nokia’s US investment. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick praised the plan for boosting US tech capacity, while CEO Justin Hotard said it would secure the future of AI-driven networks.

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Armenia promotes AI partnership during ambassador’s meeting with Apple in Cupertino

Armenia’s ambassador, Narek Mkrtchyan, has met senior Apple representatives in Cupertino to discuss expanding the company’s activities in the country. The visit included talks with Jason Lundgaard, Apple’s senior director for international cooperation at corporate government affairs.

The ambassador outlined the Armenia–US memorandum on AI and semiconductor cooperation signed on 8 August and highlighted Armenia’s technology ecosystem and investment potential. Both sides explored areas for collaboration and the conditions under which Apple could expand its presence.

Apple plans to send a delegation to Armenia in the coming period to assess opportunities for growth and engagement with local institutions. The discussions signalled early steps toward a more structured partnership.

During the meeting, the ambassador thanked Mr Lundgaard for supporting the launch of Apple’s first educational programme at the Armenian College of Creative Technologies. The initiative forms part of a wider effort to strengthen skills development in Armenia’s digital sector.

Both sides reiterated their commitment to deepen cooperation and expand the educational partnership as Armenia positions itself as a regional hub for advanced technologies.

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AI data centre boom drives global spike in memory chip prices

The rapid expansion of AI data centres is pushing up memory chip prices and straining an already tight supply chain. DRAM costs are rising as manufacturers prioritise high-bandwidth memory for AI systems, leaving fewer components available for consumer devices.

The shift is squeezing supply across sectors that depend on standard DRAM, from PCs and smartphones to cars and medical equipment. Analysts say the imbalance is driving up component prices quickly, with Samsung reportedly raising some memory prices by as much as 60%.

Rising demand for HBM reflects the needs of AI clusters, which rely on vast memory pools alongside GPUs, CPUs and storage. But with only a handful of major suppliers, including Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron, the surge is pushing prices across the market higher.

Industry researchers warn that rising memory costs will likely be passed on to consumers, especially in lower-priced laptops and embedded systems. Makers may switch to cheaper parts or push suppliers for concessions, but the overall price trend remains upward.

While memory is known for cyclical booms and busts, analysts say the global race to build AI data centres makes it difficult to predict when supply will stabilise. Until then, higher memory prices look set to remain a feature of the market.

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US administration pushes back on proposal to restrict Nvidia sales to China

The White House is urging Congress to reject a bipartisan proposal that would restrict Nvidia from selling advanced AI chips to China and other countries subject to an embargo. The GAIN AI Act would require chipmakers to prioritise US buyers before exporting high-performance hardware.

Lawmakers are debating whether to attach the provision to the annual defence spending bill, a move that could accelerate approval. The White House intervention represents a significant win for Nvidia, which has lobbied to maintain export flexibility amid shifting trade policies.

China was previously a significant market for Nvidia, but the firm has pared back expectations due to rising geopolitical risks. Beijing has also increased scrutiny of US-made chips as it pushes for self-reliance in AI and semiconductor technology.

The policy discussions come shortly after Nvidia posted stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings and issued an upbeat outlook. CEO Jensen Huang has pushed back against concerns of an AI-driven valuation bubble, arguing demand remains robust.

Nvidia’s shares rose 5 percent after hours following the earnings report, reflecting investor confidence as Washington continues to debate the future of AI chip export controls.

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