Tech Business & Industry Moves

The Semiconductor Skills, Talent and Education Programme (STEP) is a UK government-funded initiative coordinated by the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) to build a robust pipeline of semiconductor skills. It consists of four connected projects ranging from schools outreach to post-graduate training. The programme aims to improve awareness of the semiconductor sector, provide financial support and skills development for students pursuing Electrical and Electronics Engineering degrees, and support further education in chip design and semiconductor materials. Collaborators include universities, research institutions, and industry partners to maximize impact and underpin the long-term success of the UK semiconductor sector.

Foundry 2.0 refers to the next generation or evolution of semiconductor foundry services, where foundries not only manufacture chips but also provide advanced design, customization, and integrated solutions to meet the growing complexity and demand in the semiconductor market. This concept includes enhanced capabilities in chip design, manufacturing technology, and customer collaboration, positioning companies like Intel to secure competitive positions in this emerging foundry landscape.

The MIT Technology Review Insiders Panel focuses on exploring the forces reshaping AI, including global market shifts, rising model makers, and evolving safety concerns. It provides sharp analysis and unpublished insights from the team that researches and reports on AI daily.

MIT Technology Review contributes to understanding AI's impact through in-depth reporting packages, such as its recent focus on AI's energy and resource usage. This includes examining the energy demands of AI inference and the broader environmental implications of AI data centers.

InnoVEX 2025 focused on five major innovation areas: AI, Semiconductor Applications, Smart Mobility, Next-Gen Communications, and Green Tech. These areas highlight the event's emphasis on cutting-edge technologies and sustainable development goals.

InnoVEX 2025 featured over 450 startups from 24 countries and regions, along with 10 national pavilions and participation from notable accelerators and university-industry collaboration teams. The event showcased a wide range of innovative technologies, including AI, quantum computing, and biotech.

AI adoption is rapidly expanding globally, with a significant increase in businesses using AI. In 2024, 78% of organizations reported using AI, up from 55% the previous year. This trend is expected to continue, with AI adoption projected to grow at a CAGR of 35.9% between 2025 and 2030.

AI integration in the workplace can lead to both benefits and challenges. While AI is projected to contribute significantly to economic growth and innovation, it also poses risks such as job displacement. Approximately 52% of U.S. workers are worried about AI's future impact, with concerns about reduced job opportunities.

Schneider Electric's AI co-pilot is a Generative AI-powered assistant developed in collaboration with Microsoft. It integrates Microsoft Azure AI Foundry with Schneider Electric’s advanced industrial automation solutions to boost productivity by eliminating repetitive tasks and simplifying application development. This allows for faster market delivery of quality solutions and enhances workforce efficiency.

AI tools are significantly improving robot efficiency by reducing factory planning time up to 80% and increasing robot speed by 40%. These advancements are facilitated through AI-assisted robot training and the integration of physical AI models that interact with the physical world, transforming traditional rule-based automation.

Many CEOs are investing in AI due to a sense of urgency and fear of missing out (FOMO), as they see competitors adopting AI and worry about falling behind. While only 25% of AI initiatives have delivered expected ROI so far, 85% of CEOs are optimistic about seeing positive returns by 2027. This optimism is driven by the belief that AI can provide both cost savings and new growth opportunities, even as they navigate implementation challenges and uncertainties.

Key challenges include unclear ROI, with only a quarter of AI initiatives meeting expectations, and issues with disconnected technology due to rapid investments. Additionally, 50% of companies acknowledge problems with integrating new AI tools with existing systems, and there is a significant need for new talent and workforce retraining, as 54% of companies are hiring for AI roles that didn’t exist a year ago and 31% of the workforce will require retraining in the next three years.