(Source: money)In the past, as globalization surged, Taiwan’s industries were primarily cost-oriented, establishing operations in regions with cheap labor and low production costs. However, with rising geopolitical risks, the restructuring of global supply chains has become a trend, indicating that “the world is no longer flat.” Consequently, Taiwan’s industrial strategy has shifted to emphasize production resilience, market proximity, and responsiveness to end applications.The Taiwanese semiconductor industry holds a critical position globally. According to statistics from the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) IEK Consulting, the total output value of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is projected to reach $165.6 billion in 2024, capturing approximately 20.3% of the global market. Among these, the foundry market share is as high as 68.8%, and the packaging and testing industry holds a 49% market share, both leading globally. Taiwan also possesses significant strength in IC design. However, there is still room for improvement in Taiwan’s upstream (such as equipment and materials) and downstream application sectors, highlighting the importance of strengthening market division of labor and cooperation.Globally, 83% of AI chips are manufactured by Taiwan’s semiconductor foundries, particularly in the advanced process fields below 7 nanometers, which are key projects for Taiwanese manufacturers. This positions Taiwan as an indispensable core in applications such as high-performance computing, data centers, and edge computing.Looking back at the development of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, it is not only a technological breakthrough but also the result of long-term accumulation of policies, talent, and enterprises. Since the 1980s, Taiwan has actively built technology parks and developed specialized technical education, establishing a complete industrial system. From 2010 to 2024, Taiwan’s IC output value has grown nearly threefold, while the young adult population has decreased by 20% during the same period.Even though technology clusters like Hsinchu continue to attract employment, the overall declining birth rate still brings pressure on the talent gap, prompting the industry to compensate through internationalization and diversified strategies.In recent years, more and more semiconductor companies have begun to expand globally, establishing bases in Singapore, the United States, Europe, and other locations. The globalization of Taiwan’s semiconductor enterprises is not only a response to geopolitical factors but also based on considerations of market proximity and strengthening production resilience.The mindset of companies in choosing factory locations is also changing, shifting from a simple pursuit of low costs to a “scenario-oriented” approach that is close to application markets and clients, such as automotive chips, medical devices, industrial control, and drones. This change signifies that the semiconductor industry is transitioning from being technology-driven to application-driven, also shifting talent demand from engineering technical skills to cross-domain technology integration capabilities.In the future, semiconductor talent will need to possess an international perspective, cross-departmental collaboration skills, adaptability, and digital transformation literacy. Especially in the wake of the AI wave, the value of talent is not only reflected in continuous improvement but also in leading enterprises to create new patterns in global competition.Taiwan has a complete education system and a strong academic foundation. If it can develop into a “Talent Hub” for technology professionals, it can not only export technology but also cultivate and attract global tech talent. In response to the globalization of the semiconductor industry and talent, Taiwan should continue to promote cross-cultural and international talent cultivation models. Students from Thailand, Mexico, and other regions are already coming to Taiwan for training, returning to their home countries or staying in Taiwan to join enterprises, assisting local manufacturers in expanding international bases and management teams.The development of semiconductor technology has become a global strategic battleground. Taiwan has advantages in technology, production capacity, and trust. The next key step is to strengthen scenario layout, integrate supply chains, and deepen internationalization and cross-domain cooperation of talent. Only by systematically advancing the “technology + market + talent” triangular strategy can Taiwan firmly establish itself at the center of the global technology stage.