On 9 December 2024, a delegation from the National Applied Research Laboratories (NARLabs) of Taiwan travelled to Spain, led by Dr Mei-Yu Chang, Director of the International Affairs Office. The delegation, accompanied by leaders from Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, participated in the Semi Impact Forum 2024 – Catalonia Chapter, held in Barcelona.

Professor Konrad Yang, Director of Arculus Lab, who previously served as Director of Research and Development at TSMC for nearly two decades and is recognised as one of the “Six Knights of R&D,” also attended the forum. Drawing on his extensive expertise in semiconductor technology, he opened the forum by sharing insights into Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, particularly the success of TSMC, and provided expert perspectives to guide the subsequent discussions.

Also present was Professor Rui Carlos Oliveira, Director of INESC TEC (Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering, Technology and Science) in Portugal, who has extensive experience in international scientific collaboration. A long-time expert in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor research, and supercomputing, he has forged a strong partnership with Taiwan’s NARLabs, working together to advance research in cutting-edge computing and semiconductor technologies.Following the forum, Professor Konrad Yang and Professor Rui Carlos Oliveira sat down for an exclusive interview with The Icons, discussing the potential for collaboration between Taiwan and Europe in semiconductors, AI, and high-performance computing. They also explored how technological advancements transcend borders, driving global innovation forward.

Building International Connections Through the Semiconductor Industry – Kwang-Lei Yang: Taiwan and Europe Should Pursue a Complementary Path

“Taiwan’s long-standing strength in the semiconductor industry comes primarily from manufacturing and design, but we remain weak in upstream equipment and materials.” Professor Konrad Yang stated candidly.

He believes that while Taiwan’s semiconductor industry has traditionally focused on the US market, Europe remains a “forgotten land of opportunity.” “Europe has formidable capabilities in equipment and fundamental research, whereas Taiwan leads in manufacturing and design. This complementary relationship should be further strengthened.”

With the establishment of the Taiwan-Czech Advanced Chip Design Research Centre (ACDRC), collaboration between Taiwan and the Czech Republic has already begun. Now, Yang asserts, this model should be expanded to other European countries. He emphasises that small and medium-sized semiconductor firms may be the key to breaking into the European market:

“Large corporations are often constrained by their existing structures and market strategies, whereas start-ups and mid-sized companies are more agile. They can take the lead in entering the European market and forging deeper partnerships.”

Additionally, Yang argues that Taiwan’s education system must evolve to cultivate talent with a global perspective. “We don’t just need engineers—we need professionals who understand industry development, technological trends, and cross-border collaboration.”

Rui Carlos Oliveira: Distributed Architectures and High-Performance Computing Are the Cornerstones of Global Cooperation

Professor Rui Carlos Oliveira approached the discussion from the perspective of distributed systems and HPC, highlighting the possibilities for global technological collaboration. He believes that distributed architectures will play a pivotal role in future international cooperation, particularly in semiconductors and AI.

“Today’s ICT (Information and Communication Technology) systems are becoming increasingly complex, making cross-border collaboration no longer optional, but essential.” Oliveira noted that Taiwan and Portugal have highly complementary strengths in technology, making their partnership particularly promising:

“Taiwan holds an unrivalled position in semiconductor manufacturing, while Portugal has been investing heavily in semiconductor research and HPC. By working together, we can accelerate innovation and elevate each other’s technological capabilities.”

He highlighted the longstanding partnership between Taiwan’s NARLabs and Portugal’s INESC TEC, which dates back to 2017 and covers fields such as high-performance computing and marine technology. With the rise of AI, their collaboration has expanded further into artificial intelligence applications.

“This collaboration isn’t just about technology; it’s about building cultural understanding and trust. Different countries operate on different investment cycles, but rather than being a challenge, this time difference can create new opportunities for cooperation.”

Oliveira emphasised that global technological collaboration requires more flexible frameworks to accommodate the varying strategies and needs of different nations.

AI and HPC: Bridging the Tech Ecosystems of Europe and Asia

Portugal is rapidly emerging as a key player in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and High-Performance Computing (HPC). At the forum, Professor Rui Carlos Oliveira showcased Portugal’s latest advancements in HPC, emphasising the critical role these technologies play in shaping Europe’s technological ecosystem.

“We are building our core competitiveness in AI and HPC through industry-academia collaboration, government policies, and technological innovation,” he explained. A major strength of Portugal’s tech development lies in its close cooperation between higher education institutions and industry.

This model bears strong similarities to Taiwan’s semiconductor industry ecosystem, which is why Oliveira sees great potential for deepening AI and HPC collaboration between Taiwan and Portugal.

“We can accelerate knowledge exchange through joint research projects, talent development programmes, and industry-academia partnerships. The advancement of AI and HPC requires global cooperation, and that is exactly what we are working towards,” he noted.

Additionally, Oliveira highlighted Portugal’s efforts to build an international network for technological innovation, extending beyond Europe to foster stronger ties with Asian nations.

“The key to cross-border collaboration is an open mindset and a shared vision. We look forward to working with Taiwanese partners to drive technological development and expand market opportunities together,” he stated.

Technological Innovation and Talent Development: Building Global Competitiveness

Talent remains at the heart of technological progress, making it a crucial pillar of Taiwan-Europe collaboration. Professor Konrad Yang stressed that Taiwan needs more interdisciplinary talent to adapt to the evolving tech landscape.

“Our education system has been too focused on specialised fields. In the future, we should encourage more interdisciplinary learning, integrating engineering with humanities, and technology with management,” he suggested. Yang believes that such reforms will help Taiwan maintain its competitive edge in the global market.

Professor Oliveira further pointed out that Portugal’s experience in higher education and industry collaboration could serve as a valuable reference for Taiwan.

“Portugal’s technology talent development programmes are actively connected to the international market, allowing students to participate in cross-border projects and develop a truly global perspective,” he explained.

The Era of Single-Country Competition Is Over

In conclusion, Professor Konrad Yang reflected on how today’s technological competition is no longer confined to rivalry between individual nations but has evolved into a complex landscape of global cooperation and competition.

Professor Oliveira echoed this sentiment, emphasising that despite the geographical distance between Taiwan and Europe, both regions have found common ground in semiconductors, AI, and HPC.

“We are not just technology partners—we are partners in driving global innovation,” they both affirmed in unison.

From semiconductor manufacturing to AI research, from HPC to talent development, this dialogue between the two experts and The Icons editorial team not only unveiled the future direction of the tech industry but also marked the beginning of a new chapter in Taiwan-Europe collaboration.

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The post Exploring the Future of Taiwan-Europe Collaboration Through Semiconductor and High-Performance Computing Transformations – An Exclusive Interview with Professor Konrad Yang, Director of Arculus Lab, and Professor Rui Carlos Oliveira, Director of INESC TEC first appeared on The Icons.

In the context of increasingly fierce global competition in information security, John Chang, the founder of Jmem Technology Co., Ltd., brings new momentum to Taiwan’s information security industry with his overseas background and years of relevant work experience in the semiconductor industry, as well as his journey of returning to Taiwan to pursue a Ph.D. in the Department of Electrophysics at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University. The product concepts he subsequently developed originated from the research topics of his doctoral thesis, and these efforts laid the foundation for the vigorous development of Jmem Technology.

During the development of Jmem Technology, Taiwan’s National Applied Research Laboratories (NARLabs) assisted the Jmem team in connecting with international resources, introducing hardware security technology into the EU market, providing funds for business expansion, and government resources. This enabled Jmem Technology to quickly connect with industry, government, and academia, combining the advantages of Taiwan’s semiconductor supply chain to expand its international influence.

This June, founder John Chang was invited by the National Applied Research Laboratories to participate in the European industry event, London Tech Week 2024, in London, UK. He attended the Semi Impact Forum 2024, a series of semiconductor forums organized by Semi Ventures, as a keynote speaker and was interviewed by the co-organizer, international media outlet 《The Icons》:

“Fortunately, my background and experience gave me a technical advantage in the early stages of my entrepreneurship. From product design to technical development, we have always focused on hardware security, continuously innovating and improving. This not only allowed us to achieve significant results in the market quickly but also laid a solid foundation for subsequent international cooperation. Jmem Technology has continued to receive support from venture capitalists from various regions, including the United States and Taiwan.”

Jmem Technology Innovates Hardware Security to Create Secure and Reliable Information Transmission

Jmem Technology’s products have demonstrated significant competitiveness across various fields. Their hardware security technology not only ensures the security of information transmission but also enhances overall system performance and reliability. These technologies include advanced encryption algorithms, real-time monitoring systems, and protective measures that effectively defend against various cyberattacks and unauthorized data access.

Additionally, Jmem Technology’s product design is highly modular, allowing for flexible responses to different market demands. “Our products not only have a technical edge but we can also provide customized solutions based on customer needs. This gives us a unique competitive advantage in the international market, enabling us to meet a wide range of needs and challenges,” explained John Chang. This flexibility allows their solutions to be easily integrated into various existing systems, providing efficient and secure services for both enterprise-level applications and individual users.

At the Semi Impact Forum held in London this June, Jmem Technology showcased their technological prowess to the world: “At the Semi Impact Forum, we aim to demonstrate Taiwan’s technological capabilities through our collaboration with NARLabs, including the latest semiconductor technology, security solutions, and research achievements. These all fully illustrate Taiwan’s leading position in these fields.”

John Chang also pointed out that Taiwan holds a significant position in the global semiconductor market, especially in the hardware sector. The industry encompasses a complete value chain from IC design to packaging and testing, with top-tier companies excelling in each segment. For instance, companies like TSMC continuously make breakthroughs in process technology, maintaining Taiwan’s global leadership.

Opening Taiwan-UK Bilateral Cooperation to Create Global Win-Win

John Chang has also observed that the UK has a significant demand for cybersecurity. He hopes to promote more collaborative projects through exchanges with the UK, which would be a win-win situation for both Taiwan and the UK. The UK government is actively promoting the development of the semiconductor industry; however, there are still many weaknesses in the UK’s cybersecurity sector. Through resource exchange and technical cooperation, Jmem Technology aims to introduce Taiwan’s technology into the UK market while learning from the UK’s advanced experience in the semiconductor field.

“We see tremendous potential in the UK market, especially in the field of cybersecurity, where there are many opportunities for collaboration. Through these partnerships, we hope not only to internationalize our technology but also to foster technological exchange and experience sharing between the two regions,” he further explained. The UK has extensive experience in the development and application of semiconductor technology, while Taiwan has a profound technical foundation in hardware security. The two sides can complement each other’s strengths, jointly driving technological advancement and market expansion.

John Chang mentioned that Jmem Technology has already reached cooperation agreements with renowned universities and enterprises in the UK: “These transnational cooperation projects with leading academic and industrial institutions will not only allow us to further expand in the international market but also broaden the application scope of our technology.” He added, “Collaborating with the UK enables us to gain a deeper understanding of global market demands and adjust our product development and market strategies accordingly. This is beneficial for the company and can also bring new vitality and momentum to the UK’s semiconductor and cybersecurity industries.”

NARLabs Provides Comprehensive Support to Propel Taiwan’s Semiconductor Industry onto the International Stage

John Chang is full of confidence about the future development of Jmem Technology. He plans to continue expanding the product line and further developing hardware security technology. At the same time, John Chang will promote more international cooperation projects through collaboration with Taiwan’s National Applied Research Laboratories (NARLabs) to bring Taiwan’s technology to the global stage.

“Through collaboration with NARLabs, Jmem Technology will actively participate in various international conferences and exhibitions. For example, at the Semi Impact Forum held in London, we not only showcased our technology and capabilities but also significantly increased Taiwan’s exposure and influence in the international market,” said John Chang.

John Chang noted that NARLabs provides tremendous assistance in planning international partnership strategies and establishing connections, which is crucial for the development of startups: “With the help of NARLabs, we were able to smoothly plan a series of exchanges and collaborations with European countries during the process of penetrating international markets, making Taiwan’s semiconductor technology more visible.”

In the future, John Chang will lead Jmem Technology to achieve greater progress in technological innovation and market development, enhancing R&D investments, especially to maintain a leading edge in the field of hardware security:

“Jmem Technology will continue to deepen its cooperation with NARLabs, jointly promoting the development of the semiconductor industry, expanding its influence in the international market, and through cross-border technical exchanges and cooperation, making Taiwan’s semiconductor technology shine on the global stage!”

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The post John Chang, Founder of Jmem Technology: Leveraging Hardware Security to Secure a Place for Taiwan’s Semiconductor Industry in the European Market first appeared on The Icons.

Against this backdrop, the European industry event London Tech Week 2024, held in London this June, garnered significant international attention. One of its highlights was the Semi Impact Forum 2024, a semiconductor series forum co-organized by Taiwan’s National Applied Research Laboratories (NARLabs) and the UK’s Semi Venture.

Professor Konrad Young, a Berkeley Ph.D. graduate and one of Taiwan’s acclaimed “Six TSMC R&D Knights,” was invited to London as a keynote speaker. Having held significant positions at TSMC, SMIC, and Intel, Professor Young transitioned from being an Intel advisor in the second half of 2023 to a visiting professor at National Taiwan University, focusing on international stage development for young leaders and promoting sustainable education.

During his interview with the international media partner of the event,《The Icons》, he stated, “I have always believed that technological innovation is the key to driving social progress and economic development, and the role of leaders is crucial in this. Influential business leaders have the responsibility to lead by example, driving other companies to collectively promote sustainable development through their actions.”

Additionally, he shared his past experiences at TSMC and his personal mantra, the “failure resume”: “By treating failures as growth nutrients, one can always move forward in a better direction! Just like Taiwan’s semiconductor capabilities, which have been built through continuous efforts, overcoming numerous failures and setbacks, eventually evolving and iterating to conduct the global symphony.”

NARLabs Incubating International Semiconductor Development

Under the joint efforts of Taiwan’s National Applied Research Laboratories (NARLabs) and the UK-based Semi Venture, several Taiwan semiconductor-related companies showcased the achievements of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry to the world during a forum. In an exclusive interview, Professor Young highlighted the critical role NARLabs has played in the development of the semiconductor industry: “NARLabs has been a vital driving force in Taiwan, empowering not only the industry but also integrating academic and research sectors.”

Professor Young pointed out that Taiwan’s semiconductor giants, such as TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) and UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation), have already earned a global reputation. These companies attract attention effortlessly. However, for smaller companies and startups that initially seem less prominent and struggle to quickly enter the international market, NARLabs provides a crucial platform that helps them grow rapidly.

“Unlike the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Taiwan’s NARLabs focuses more on collaboration with the academic and research communities. Since its establishment in the 1970s, ITRI has primarily supported Taiwan’s industrial sector, especially the semiconductor industry. With the industry’s success, ITRI’s role in the semiconductor sector has become somewhat ambiguous. In contrast, NARLabs significantly drives project progress through various collaborations in international academic, research, and industry spheres,” Professor Young explained. “NARLabs is committed to transforming academic and research achievements into practical applications, enabling SMEs to quickly establish close international collaborations with overseas academic institutions and companies.”

Professor Young also emphasized NARLabs’ specific impact on international cooperation. For example, when the Czech Republic needed to develop its semiconductor industry, NARLabs effectively provided talent training and technical support, helped plan laboratories, and established incubation centers. Additionally, NARLabs has extensive experience in bringing overseas talent to Taiwan for training and even conducting online training for overseas participants, which is crucial support for startups with international capabilities.

“The incubation role of NARLabs is especially critical for supporting startups,” Professor Young emphasized. “Startups can leverage NARLabs’ resources and technology to turn their ideas into practical products and complete proof of concept (POC). With early-stage support from NARLabs, these companies can smoothly transition to the venture capital stage and ultimately reach commercialization.”

Professor Konrad Young’s Three Pillars of Leadership

During London Tech Week and the Semi Impact Forum 2024, Professor Konrad Young met with founders, CEOs, and other leaders from around the world. Known for his long-standing focus on leadership, he discussed the three essential pillars of leadership during his interview with《The Icons》: “Independence,” “Trustworthiness,” and “High Productivity.”

First, “Independence” means leaders must have the ability to think independently and solve problems: “A good leader must be able to make correct decisions independently without external help, requiring deep knowledge and extensive professional experience, even life experiences.” He emphasized that leaders should not only have their own ideas but also remain calm in the face of difficulties and quickly find solutions.

Second, “Trustworthiness” refers to a leader’s ability to build and maintain trust with team members and partners: “Trust is the foundation of all cooperation, without it, efficient collaboration cannot exist.” He shared an example from leading a multinational project where time zone differences and cultural discrepancies caused misunderstandings and conflicts among team members: “Leaders must exhibit sincere attitudes through patient communication, gradually eliminating doubts about themselves and among team members. Reflecting on that multinational project, I remember the key factor to its success was the leader first demonstrating sincerity and consistency, which the team members then emulated, leading to smooth collaboration.”

Lastly, “High Productivity” indicates a leader’s ability to lead the team to efficiently complete tasks while continuously improving their and the team’s efficiency: “Good productivity comes from a love for work and attention to detail.” He mentioned that during his days at TSMC, he often worked late, meticulously scrutinizing every detail to achieve the best: “Only by wholeheartedly investing can one truly unleash their potential and lead the team forward.”

Konrad Young: Highly Influential Companies Should Lead by Example for Sustainability!

Professor Young, who has always focused on the development of young leaders, also highlighted the importance of education. He believes education is not just about imparting knowledge but also about inspiring creativity and critical thinking: “Education should equip people with problem-solving skills, not just rote memorization, especially in Asia, where young students should be given more practical opportunities to grow through practice.”

He pointed out that the current education system needs more interdisciplinary education to cultivate talents that meet future needs. He believes that future competition will not only be about professional knowledge but also about comprehensive qualities. He suggests that educational institutions should place more emphasis on interdisciplinary education to equip the new generation with a broader knowledge base and flexible thinking abilities: “The future society needs talents with cross-disciplinary abilities, as finding correlations across different fields can lead to innovative solutions.”

When discussing technological development, Professor Young also mentioned the importance of tech ethics and humanistic care. He believes technological development should be human-centered and not detached from human values: “Technological progress should serve human well-being, not the other way around.” He stressed that tech workers should have a strong sense of social responsibility, pushing technological advancements while also being aware of potential negative impacts.

In the interview, Professor Young also discussed ESG and corporate social responsibility, emphasizing that technological innovation should continue advancing while maintaining a focus on social responsibility. He noted that many companies overlook the environmental and social impacts while pursuing technological breakthroughs, which is a concern: “Technological progress should not come at the cost of the environment and social welfare; we must find a balance between innovation and sustainability.” He shared his experience promoting ESG at TSMC, where significant resources were invested in environmental protection, not only raising process environmental standards but also actively participating in social welfare activities:

“Highly influential companies should lead by example through concrete actions to drive other companies in collectively promoting sustainable development!”

Innovation in Technology is a Global Collaboration

Now, as a visiting professor at National Taiwan University after leaving the industry, Professor Konrad Young leverages his experience from managing teams at TSMC, SMIC, and Intel, advocating for the development of future talent from an international perspective.

He believes technological innovation should not be the affair of a single country or region but a global collaboration: “Future technological innovation requires the collective effort of global talents. We need to cross borders and jointly address global challenges for mutual benefit. This is similar to sustainability issues; everyone faces the same environmental challenges, whether discussing ESG or SDG. No company or even a single country can tackle these alone. Therefore, cultivating young people’s international vision, participation in international affairs, and ability to cooperate with the world is vital.”

Professor Young also hopes that various sectors will invest more time and resources in education, allowing young talents to gain the DNA to stand shoulder to shoulder with the world stage early on. He also wants them to learn how to empower each other, teaching and growing together, where everyone can be a leader, and everyone can interact well with different leaders, which he believes is the future talent should have.

Professor Konrad Young’s “Failure Resume”

At the end of the interview, Professor Konrad Young introduced《The Icons》interview team to his life mantra: the “failure resume.”

He emphasized that failure is the best learning opportunity in life because it is only through profoundly painful experiences that people genuinely gain insight and want to change: “If you have successful experiences, that’s great, but if you fail, treat it as a trophy.” Professor Young had once created a “failure resume,” meticulously recording all his life failures, viewing each one as a precious learning opportunity.

He also shared an experience during his tenure at TSMC. While leading the development of a new technology, his team faced significant challenges, with nearly all attempts ending in failure. Under immense pressure and setbacks, he did not give up but encouraged his team to re-examine every step, identifying the root cause of the problems. Eventually, they not only overcame the technical challenges but also discovered new innovative points in the process, laying a solid foundation for subsequent R&D work and ultimately delivering results beyond everyone’s expectations.

He also shared an experience during his tenure at TSMC. While leading the development of a new technology, his team faced significant challenges, with nearly all attempts ending in failure. Under immense pressure and setbacks, he did not give up but encouraged his team to re-examine every step, identifying the root cause of the problems. Eventually, they not only overcame the technical challenges but also discovered new innovative points in the process, laying a solid foundation for subsequent R&D work and ultimately delivering results beyond everyone’s expectations.

“Many great inventions and technological breakthroughs have been achieved only after numerous failures. Failures provide teams with the opportunity to reassess problems, stimulate new perspectives and creativity. Without experiencing failure, we are likely to overlook important details and issues that could become more critical in the future.”

“Furthermore, he emphasizes that corporate culture should encourage employees to innovate and take risks, without excessively blaming them for failures: ‘A healthy corporate culture should allow for failure, because only in such an environment can employees truly unleash their creativity, challenge the status quo, and drive continuous advancement for the company. Leaders, especially, should lead by example in this regard, demonstrating a positive attitude towards failure, so that teams understand that every failure holds significant lessons and is a crucial opportunity for learning and growth!'”

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The post Advancing to London Tech Week 2024! Professor Konrad Young, Known as One of the “Six TSMC R&D Knights”: Technological Innovation Must Be a Global Collaboration, Starting with a “Resume of Failures”! first appeared on The Icons.