ASML and NXP drive semiconductor growth through AI and advanced lithography

The semiconductor industry is experiencing significant growth driven by the artificial intelligence boom. ASML, a leading Dutch chip equipment manufacturer, reports that its US$200 million extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines are nearly sold out through 2027. Furthermore, major chipmakers including TSMC, Samsung, SK Hynix, and Intel are committing to the adoption of next-generation High NA (numerical aperture) tools, which cost approximately US$400 million each and can print features 40 per cent smaller than standard EUV systems.

In the Netherlands, the semiconductor ecosystem extends beyond Eindhoven to the Arnhem Nijmegen region. At NXP in Nijmegen, artificial intelligence is being integrated into the manufacturing process to improve quality control. Research is currently focused on using AI models to analyze sensor data from production machinery, allowing for the faster detection of errors during the creation of microscopic connections on chips, thereby reducing waste and financial loss.