SK Chairman Choi Tae-won Sees Sharp Rise in Global Semiconductor Demand Next Year

SK Group Chairman and Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Choi Tae-won said at a media session during the Jeju Forum that global semiconductor demand is expected to rise sharply next year. According to Odaily, he said demand in the artificial intelligence sector is projected to increase 60% to 100% from this year, while overall semiconductor product demand is expected to grow at least 50% to 60%. Choi said new supply next year will be almost zero, which could widen the gap between supply and demand. He added that after energy and power equipment, material supply and facility construction may become new bottlenecks for the industry. He said wire and related materials may face shortages as the AI industry develops, and that prices for related products have already risen. He also said submarine cables are in short supply. Choi noted that construction standards change every one or two years, making projects more difficult. He said it will take time for the AI industry to form a self-sustaining ecosystem. Large investments are being made in infrastructure, but no matching results have appeared yet. Once the system begins operating, he said, the AI industry is expected to gradually form its own ecosystem.