As the global appetite for AI and high-performance computing (HPC) continues to grow, foundries around the world are stepping up capacity in a big way. From North America to Asia, chip manufacturers are investing billions to keep up with demand for more powerful and energy-efficient semiconductors.

What’s driving this surge? It’s not just smartphones and laptops anymore. Large language models, real-time data analytics, autonomous vehicles, and advanced cloud computing all rely on custom-designed chips with dense transistor architectures and highly specialized capabilities. That’s where AI chips and HPC processors come in—and where global foundries play a critical role.

Over the past year, several leading foundries have announced aggressive expansion plans. These include new fabrication plants, upgrades to existing lines, and strategic partnerships with design firms and governments. In the U.S., for example, the CHIPS Act has unlocked substantial funding aimed at boosting domestic semiconductor production. Meanwhile, foundries in Taiwan, South Korea, and Europe are pushing forward with advanced process nodes to support the next generation of AI accelerators and data center chips.

This wave of expansion is not just about volume. It’s also about specialization. Many foundries are shifting toward technologies like 5nm and 3nm nodes, 2.5D and 3D packaging, and silicon photonics—all of which are crucial for meeting the thermal and performance demands of today’s AI workloads.

Supply chain resilience is another key factor. After the disruptions seen in recent years, many chipmakers are aiming for regional diversification and more transparent procurement channels. For OEMs and system integrators, this means a wider choice of sourcing partners, but also a need to stay closely informed about capacity changes, lead times, and packaging trends.

From a distributor’s point of view, this trend represents both opportunity and urgency. As demand for AI and HPC chips intensifies, securing reliable supply and understanding foundry roadmaps becomes a competitive advantage—not just a logistics task.

The AI and HPC boom isn’t showing signs of slowing down. For foundries and their partners, this is the time to scale up, innovate, and build capacity for the computing world of tomorrow.