Outlook Supplement - Flipbook - Page 4
Forecast
2026 Outlook: Executive Viewpoints
Each year, Semiconductor Digest turns to industry leaders and
analysts to get their viewpoints on what they expect to see in the
coming year in terms of critical tech and business trends. Hot
topics continue to be artificial intelligence, cloud computing,
energy efficiency, the supply chain, increased use of compound
semiconductors, advanced packaging, 3D integration, chiplets
and sustainability.
A Stronger, More Connected
Semiconductor Industry in 2026
packaging has become a strategic part
of system performance. We are seeing
more investment in this area than ever
JOE STOCKUNAS, P r e s i d e n t ,
SEMI Americas
before, but demand is rising just as
The semiconductor industry heads into
quickly. The companies expanding their
2026 with real momentum. Through the advanced packaging capabilities are
first three quarters of 2025, equipment
putting themselves in a strong position
billings came in just under 100 billion
for the next wave of AI and high-perfordollars. That is a record for
mance computing growth.
this point in the year and a
Global investment patterns
clear sign of the strength of
also continue to shift. The
demand. Companies continue
United States, Europe, China,
to invest in leading-edge
Taiwan, Korea, Japan and
logic, DRAM, and advanced
other regional hubs are all
packaging to support the
making moves to strengthen
rapid growth of AI workmanufacturing and reduce risk
loads, and that investment is
in the supply chain. Even in a
carrying straight into 2026.
growth cycle, companies are
JOE STOCKUNAS
AI is changing the industry
managing a more complicated
faster than anything we have seen in a
landscape and planning further ahead to
long time. It is not only driving demand keep operations resilient.
for compute and memory, it is changing
Workforce remains one of the biggest
what systems need to look like. Power
challenges. New fabs are ramping across
efficiency, heat management, and
several regions, and the talent pipeline
interconnect density are now front-end
is simply not growing at the same pace.
considerations, not afterthoughts. These Training, apprenticeships, and deeper
requirements will influence where
partnerships with academia are essential.
companies choose to add capacity and
This is not a single-company issue. It is
how they prioritize capital spending in
an ecosystem issue, and it needs to be
the year ahead.
addressed that way.
Packaging will be one of the most
Looking ahead, 2026 will be another
important areas to watch. Chiplet
strong year for the industry. AI, dataand 3D integration are now moving
centers, and high-performance cominto higher-volume production, and
puting will continue to lead demand.
2
| Supplement to January 2026 Semiconductor Digest
The opportunity is there, but meeting it
will require preparation, collaboration,
and steady investment. SEMI will continue to support the industry with the
data, standards, and connections needed
to keep this momentum going.
AI is in the Driver’s Seat for 2026
DEAN FREEMAN, T e c h n o l o g y
A d v is o r, K i t e r o c ke t , a
Southwest Strategies
Company
In 2025, AI demand accelerated chip
revenue beyond expectations. Advanced
logic and DRAM both saw strong growth
as AI adoption expanded across hyperscale and enterprise computing. Automotive, industrial, and consumer markets
experienced mixed results in 2025 but
will end the year slightly positive.
In 2026, according to the World
Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS),
AI demand will drive semiconductor
revenues to $975 billion. Logic tied to
AI is expected to continue seeing strong
growth. At the same time, the memory
markets are tightening. Hynix and
Micron have sold out HBM memory for
2026, while DRAM for compute and
mobile phones is also in short supply.
Due to the strong demand, the DRAM
supply has been constrained, increasing
memory pricing and pushing revenues
to record levels.
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