SK Chairman Choi Tae-won: Semiconductor Demand to Grow at Least 50% Next Year

Odaily reported that SK Group Chairman and Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Chairman Choi Tae-won stated at a media briefing held during the Jeju Forum that global semiconductor demand will see significant growth next year. He noted that demand in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector is expected to increase by 60% to 100% compared to this year, while total semiconductor product demand is also projected to grow by at least 50% to 60%. However, new supply next year is expected to be virtually zero, which could further widen the supply-demand gap.

Choi predicted that following energy and power equipment, material supply and facility construction could become new bottlenecks constraining industry development. He mentioned that as the AI industry evolves, shortages of wires and related materials may emerge, with product prices already rising and undersea cables also in short supply. Construction difficulty is also increasing as specifications change every one to two years. He believes it will take time for the AI industry to form a self-sustaining ecosystem. While current infrastructure investment is substantial and has yet to yield corresponding results, once the entire system begins to operate, the AI industry is expected to gradually establish a self-developing ecosystem. (Yonhap)