AI · SEMICONDUCTOR · FACT CHECK
SKD WIREMostly True
The "Foundry 2.0" market — which extends beyond traditional contract chip manufacturing to include advanced packaging, design services and other value-added segments — has surpassed $96.6 billion, driven by surging demand for AI semiconductors, according to market research cited in reports dated September 30, 2026.
The rapid expansion of AI chips has pushed foundry operators to broaden their business models beyond conventional wafer fabrication. Under the Foundry 2.0 framework, services such as advanced packaging and backend integration are counted alongside traditional foundry revenue, reflecting a shift in how the industry measures market size.
The $96.6 billion figure reflects this expanded definition, capturing the growing share of revenue tied to AI accelerators and related infrastructure. South Korean industry interest in the finding has been high, given the central role of companies such as Samsung Electronics and SK hynix in the AI semiconductor supply chain.
The research summary reviewed ten primary sources in reaching its assessment. Specific breakdowns by vendor, segment or growth rate were not provided in the available materials, and projections for future market size remain unconfirmed at this stage.
The claim that the Foundry 2.0 market has surpassed $96.6 billion on the strength of the AI semiconductor boom is largely accurate on the available evidence — a finding the desk rates as Mostly True.
