Digital Innovation: Jan 16 (5 stories)

Here is your Daily summary for Technology across the world for Fri 16th January 2026

Taiwan is set to invest $250 billion in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, a strategic move to enhance domestic production amid global supply chain concerns. This investment follows a recent trade agreement aimed at bolstering the semiconductor sector, crucial for tech innovation and economic stability.

In the startup realm, AI coding platform Replit is nearing a funding round that could elevate its valuation to $9 billion, reflecting growing investor confidence in AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff on Nvidia's H200 AI chips destined for China, a move that underscores ongoing tensions in tech trade.

Additionally, Merge Labs, co-founded by AI leader Sam Altman, has raised $252 million to develop brain-computer interface technology, highlighting the increasing interest in merging human cognition with digital capabilities. TSMC's announcement of increased capital spending has also sparked a revival in tech stocks, signaling optimism about sustained demand for AI technologies.