A Chip Odyssey Screening in London Highlights Taiwan's Semiconductor Story
On 15 June 2026, the documentary A Chip Odyssey was screened at SOAS University of London, followed by a Q&A session with director Hsiao Chu-chen. The event was jointly organised by the SOAS Centre of Taiwan Studies and the Taipei Representative Office in the UK, bringing together students, academics, professionals and members of the public interested in Taiwan, technology and global affairs.
Filmed over five years, A Chip Odyssey traces the development of Taiwan's semiconductor industry through interviews with pioneering engineers, researchers, policymakers and industry leaders. Rather than focusing solely on technological achievements, the documentary tells the human story behind Taiwan's rise as a global semiconductor powerhouse, highlighting the vision, perseverance and collaboration that shaped one of the world's most important industries.
During the post-screening discussion, director Hsiao shared the inspiration behind the project, explaining that the story of semiconductor pioneer Hu Ding-hua motivated her to preserve this important chapter of Taiwan's history. She also spoke about the challenges of documenting such a complex industry while making its history accessible to audiences from different backgrounds.
The screening also complemented discussions taking place during London Tech Week, particularly around artificial intelligence and global technology supply chains. While many conversations focused on AI's future, A Chip Odyssey reminded audiences that the rapid advancement of AI depends on the semiconductor technologies and decades of innovation that made today's digital world possible.
More than a film screening, the event served as a platform for cultural and academic exchange. By presenting Taiwan's semiconductor journey through documentary storytelling, A Chip Odyssey offered international audiences a deeper understanding of Taiwan's contributions to global technological development and the people whose efforts helped shape the modern semiconductor industry.
