Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) says the demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) chips is "endless" as it reports record fourth-quarter earnings, bucking predictions of a potential bubble in the AI industry. The company's CEO C.C. Wei expressed his optimism on AI during an earnings call, stating that he believes AI is becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and that TSMC's factory operations are well-positioned to meet growing demand.
Wei attributed the surge in revenue to the strong demand for AI chips from cloud service providers. He said that by speaking directly with these customers, he was able to verify their demand and confirm that it is "real." This confidence in the market led TSMC to increase its capital expenditures, expecting nearly 30% growth in revenue in 2026.
In contrast, some industry experts have expressed concerns about a potential bubble in the AI sector. Google CEO Sundar Pichai warned of "irrationality" in the AI market, while OpenAI's Sam Altman acknowledged that investors are getting "overexcited." However, TSMC is betting on the long-term prospects of the AI industry and has taken steps to expand its operations.
The company's confidence in the market was further reinforced by a recent trade agreement between the US and Taiwan, which cuts tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15% and commits Taiwanese companies to $250 billion in direct US investment. TSMC plans to accelerate the expansion of its Arizona chip fabrication facilities to match.
With its record fourth-quarter earnings and optimistic outlook for AI demand, TSMC is sending a strong signal about the long-term potential of the AI industry. As the world's top chipmaker, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on growing demand for AI-powered technologies.
Wei attributed the surge in revenue to the strong demand for AI chips from cloud service providers. He said that by speaking directly with these customers, he was able to verify their demand and confirm that it is "real." This confidence in the market led TSMC to increase its capital expenditures, expecting nearly 30% growth in revenue in 2026.
In contrast, some industry experts have expressed concerns about a potential bubble in the AI sector. Google CEO Sundar Pichai warned of "irrationality" in the AI market, while OpenAI's Sam Altman acknowledged that investors are getting "overexcited." However, TSMC is betting on the long-term prospects of the AI industry and has taken steps to expand its operations.
The company's confidence in the market was further reinforced by a recent trade agreement between the US and Taiwan, which cuts tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 15% and commits Taiwanese companies to $250 billion in direct US investment. TSMC plans to accelerate the expansion of its Arizona chip fabrication facilities to match.
With its record fourth-quarter earnings and optimistic outlook for AI demand, TSMC is sending a strong signal about the long-term potential of the AI industry. As the world's top chipmaker, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on growing demand for AI-powered technologies.