Global Semiconductor Industry Outlook - GSA - Global Semiconductor Alliance

Overview

GSA, in collaboration with KPMG, surveys semiconductor executives from across geographies, company sizes, and industry segments to provide an annual Global Semiconductor Industry Outlook. Below are results highlights of financial, strategic, and operational trends, issues, and agenda items across the industry and ecosystem. Download the full 2026 report to explore the dynamics behind AI-driven demand, supply chain agility, and macroeconomic uncertainty.

Current Issue

Global Semiconductor Industry Outlook 2026

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Key Findings

The impact of AI is extensive, from revenue generation to operational efficiency, with AI (73%) extending its lead as the top application driving revenue, followed by Cloud/Data centers (61%), Wireless communications (57%) and Automotive (56%).
Memory has surged 18 points year-over-year to become the industry’s top product growth opportunity, tying with long-time leader microprocessors (67% and 66%, respectively).
Despite economic uncertainty, the industry is investing in growth with more than half of semiconductor leaders (54%) expecting their company’s revenue to grow by 11% or more in the coming year, and nearly two-thirds of executives (65%) expect their company’s global workforce to increase in the next year.
Procuring enough energy is a concern regarding powering fabrication/manufacturing facilities (34%) that nearly doubles (58%) with respect to hyperscalers being able to procure enough energy to power their data centers.
Geopolitics has reshaped the industry’s top priorities. Making the supply chain more flexible and adaptable to geopolitical changes and other disruptions (45%) is now the no. 1 strategic priority over the next 3 years.
Leaders are caught in a strategic paradox around the necessity and constraints of government funding. 54% agree it is now necessary to build advanced fabs in domestic territories while 54% also believe that accepting government funding will limit their company’s market agility and ability to innovate.