AI Policy & Energy: Trump told CNBC AI is “bigger than the internet,” arguing the U.S. must stay ahead of China and that AI buildouts require “double the energy” via company-run power generation plus lighter-touch regulation. Cross-Strait Tech Governance: Taiwan’s opposition blocked the Executive Yuan’s domestically developed defense drone procurement bill and is pushing rival legislation, setting up a funding fight over a proposed NT$210B, six-year plan. AI Supply-Chain Diplomacy: The U.S. hosted the Pax Silica Summit (Taiwan joined as a non-signatory), highlighting cooperation on AI supply chains while excluding China from key AI-capable semiconductor routes. Optics for AI Hardware: Ayar Labs raised $500M (Series E) at a $3.75B valuation to scale co-packaged optical interconnects, including a new Hsinchu office and tighter integration with Nvidia’s ecosystem. Taiwan Education Push: Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an unveiled a four-year NT$9.2B AI education plan with smart classrooms, an AI education center, and more edge-computing use. Semiconductor Industry Moves: Powertech/Greatek plans to buy ON Semiconductor’s Philippine packaging/testing unit for $45M to support “Taiwan Plus One” diversification. Local Tech & Security: Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan referred four competing domestic drone bills to committees, while the NSB said it’s stepping up tech-enabled intelligence against emerging drug trafficking routes. Infrastructure & Research: NEC will supply the I-2SEA submarine cable (India–Malaysia–Singapore) for 2029 service, and UP researchers (with Taiwan authors) mapped four new fault zones west of Luzon.