The global semiconductor industry is on track to achieve revenue exceeding $1 trillion for the first time this year, driven by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and the widespread integration of chip technology across various economic sectors. According to data from the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), total global semiconductor sales reached $791.7 billion in 2025 and are projected to surge by an additional 26% in 2026, marking another significant leap forward.

John Neuffer, CEO of the association, stated that the industry is reaching the trillion-dollar milestone much faster than initially anticipated, which he described as a positive signal for the global business community. In an interview, Neuffer remarked, "The growth of the semiconductor industry will bring exponential benefits to all other sectors. Our technology serves as the foundation for nearly every key strategic industry, and this growth trend strongly reflects the fundamental strength of the sector."

Massive demand for new computing power in data centers has created significant opportunities for chip companies such as NVIDIA and Micron Technology, contributing to the semiconductor industry's performance consistently exceeding market expectations. Neuffer revealed that previous market forecasts had estimated it would take another four years for the industry to surpass the $1 trillion revenue mark.

Logic chips, which act as the "computing brains" for various devices, saw revenue increase sharply by 40% in 2025, reaching $301.9 billion. Meanwhile, memory chips, responsible for data storage and management in computers, recorded a 35% growth in sales, totaling $223.1 billion.

Regionally, markets in Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Europe, and China all experienced growth, with only Japan showing a decline. Neuffer pointed out that while the semiconductor market will continue to experience its characteristic cycle of booms and busts, the long-term upward trajectory is firmly established. He commented, "The cyclical nature of the industry is an objective reality and will persist in the future, but the overall market pie is continually expanding."

In recent years, U.S.-China trade tensions have cast a shadow over the semiconductor industry, with the U.S. government progressively tightening chip export controls. However, Neuffer indicated that there are now signs of loosening in these restrictive policies. He also emphasized that for the U.S. semiconductor industry to achieve long-term and stable growth, it is essential for the government to increase support for research and development while also advancing immigration policy reforms to attract and retain high-skilled talent from abroad.