Google, Marvell Launch Two AI Inference Chips; Pilot Production Next Year

*Editor's Note: 'AI PRISM' (Personalized Report & Insight Summarizing Media) is an AI-based customized news recommendation and summary service developed with support from the Korea Press Foundation. It selects and provides six customized news items by reader type.

1. Google Extends Hand to Nvidia Partner, Launches AI Inference Chip Development with Marvell

- Key Summary: Google has launched joint development of two AI chips — a memory processing unit (MPU) and an inference-specialized TPU — with Marvell Technology. The Marvell MPU shortens the data path between the TPU and memory, reducing power consumption and latency, with pilot production of about 2 million units planned. The new TPU, a successor to the existing seventh-generation 'Ironwood,' is designed specifically for inference, making it cheaper and more power-efficient. As Nvidia acquired Groq through a roundabout route and unveiled its LPU to enter the inference market, Google is counterattacking by recruiting Marvell, a former partner of its rival — a move seen as accelerating the reshaping of the AI semiconductor competitive landscape.

2. As Fuel Prices Soar, Europe Switches to Chinese EVs

- Key Summary: In the aftermath of the U.S.-Iran war, European gasoline prices surged about 15% and diesel about 30%, pushing first-quarter EV registrations in Europe up 29.4% year-on-year to 560,000 units. In March alone, when the U.S. struck Iran, 240,000 units were registered, and the EU's EV share in January jumped more than 4 percentage points to 19.3% from 14.9% a year earlier. Chinese vehicles imported into the EU last year rose 30% from the previous year, surpassing 1.006 million units for the first time, and in January's European EV sales, BYD's Seal U (8,063 units) outsold the Tesla Model Y (6,941 units). BofA analyzed that China's EV exports will rise 40% year-on-year this year, with Europe as the key demand region.

3. Despite Maritime Clash, Pakistan Says "Iranian Negotiation Team to Arrive on the 21st"

- Key Summary: Maritime clashes intensified ahead of the ceasefire's expiration, with U.S. forces seizing and firing on the Iranian cargo vessel 'Tuska' and Iran retaliating with UAVs. Iran reconfirmed its non-participation in the second round of talks, but reports that an Iranian negotiation team will arrive in Islamabad on the 21st through Pakistani mediation have left the door open for dialogue. The speaker of Iran's parliament made pointed remarks linking the Hormuz crisis to U.S. Treasury credibility, saying "the U.S. Treasury market is a house of cards." President Trump maintained his optimistic stance, saying "the basic framework of an agreement has been set," and Israeli media reported that Iran has agreed to hand over all its enriched uranium.

4. After HBM, 'SOCAMM2' Battle Intensifies…SK hynix (000660) Begins Full-Scale Production for Vera Rubin

- Key Summary: SK hynix (000660.KS) has begun mass production of 192GB SOCAMM2 optimized for Nvidia's next-generation AI accelerator 'Vera Rubin.' The product applies a 10-nanometer-class sixth-generation DRAM (1c) process, offering more than double the bandwidth and over 75% improved energy efficiency compared with existing server RDIMMs. As the AI market shifts from training-centric to inference-centric, demand for low-power memory solutions is surging, and SOCAMM2 is emerging as a key pillar of AI infrastructure alongside HBM, DDR5, and CXL. SK hynix aims to extend its HBM technology leadership to SOCAMM2 and build a 'full-stack' memory solution system covering the entire spectrum from AI training to inference.

A Complete Overview of the True Identity of SK hynix's 'SOCAMM2'

5. Japanese Investors: "We Will Expand Investment in Korean Government Bonds Until November"

- Key Summary: With Korean government bonds being included in the World Government Bond Index (WGBI), Japanese investors have said they will continue to increase investment until November, when the inclusion weighting expands. From the 30th of last month to the 13th of this month, foreigners' net purchases of government bonds totaled approximately 7.7 trillion won ($5.6 billion), with Japanese investors accounting for 2.8 trillion won ($2 billion). The market expects about 20 trillion to 30 trillion won ($14.5 billion to $21.8 billion) in Japanese funds to flow in by November this year due to the WGBI inclusion effect. However, Japanese investors have requested improvements in the Euroclear investment environment and expanded liquidity in long-term bonds, making institutional improvements a prerequisite.

6. After Drawing a Line with Korea…U.S. Now Discusses Currency Swap with UAE

- Key Summary: The governor of the UAE central bank reportedly visited Washington and conveyed a currency swap plan to the U.S. Treasury Secretary and Federal Reserve officials. With crude oil and LNG exports blocked by the prolonged U.S.-Iran war and signs of foreign investment outflows emerging, the UAE has moved to secure dollar liquidity, having already raised $4 billion through private bond issuance. The IMF warned that countries in the region may demand up to an additional $50 billion, and Bahrain has also signed a currency swap worth 20 billion dirhams (approximately $5.4 billion) with the UAE. Kim Jin-il, professor of economics at Korea University, stressed, "Even if the Fed enters into package-style currency swaps with other countries, it is important for Korea to have the response capacity to enter consultations even a day earlier than other nations."