Semicon Korea 2022 Hybrid opens today at COEX exhibition center in Seoul, mapping out a roadmap on how AI and machine learning algorithm will not only reshape the role and function of semiconductor, but also help further digitize chip-design and chip-making processes in what’s called as smart manufacturing.

The 3-day annual trade show for semiconductor equipment and raw materials will run through Feb 11, attracting about 500 semiconductor equipment and raw materials makers as well as chip makers across the world to showcase their technology solutions and manufacturing tools across 2,000 booths.

As the Covid-19 pandemic is still restricting cross-border movements of human, however, all conferences will be held online through Feb. 25, inviting 120 industry leaders and experts to share their visions and insights through 20 online virtual conference sessions.

The run-up of the hybrid trade show comes at a time when the semiconductor industry stands at a crucial inflection points in terms of technology innovations as well as supply chain ecosystem.

“Semconi Korea trade show is back in the scene 3 years after it was cancelled in 2020 due to the fast-spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. With the global semiconductor supply chain rapidly evolving to meet the acceleration of digital transformation across industries, the trade show will give a cue to how to bring innovations across industries and to secure reliable and stable supply chain network,” said the show organizer SEMI.

SEMI is a worldwide industry group that represents semiconductor equipment and raw materials makers across the world.

Highlighting the trade show is a series of keynote sessions which will throw spotlights on future computing and semiconductor chip technologies, as semiconductor chips are reiterating themselves as a most important key technology enabler for everything from autonomous cars to metaverse to quantum computing.

At a keynote speech held on Feb 9, Kim Hyoung-Sub, head of R&D with Samsung Electronics, will outline how to seek out silicon innovations to brace for data-driven era.

Cho Sung-Hwan, CEO with Hyundai Mobis, a tier-1 automotive supplier and a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor will deliver a keynote speech on what role semiconductors will play in the future mobility. He will also share his insight on how tier-1 automotive parts and components supplier Hyundai Mobis will expand its business area into automotive semiconductor, robotics and urban mobility,

Peter Wennink, CEO and president with ASML will introduce the Netherlands-based photolithography equipment maker’s key technology development roadmap across its product portfolio from EUVs to immersion equipment. As technologies of 5G, AI, and tones of connected devices are converging to create a new breed of data-guzzling applications, quick ramp-up to 10nm and below chip node geometry technology are in dire need.

So is EUV, extreme ultra-violet lithography equipment that is very instrumental in patterning chip circuitry of below 10nm.

Equally interesting is AI summit, design automation and smart manufacturing forums, which will define the role of AI and machine learning technology in chip design layout and chip processing as well as chip manufacturing facilities