ISS 2026
January 11 - 14, 2026 | Half Moon Bay, USA
Momentum Toward $1T: Charting Challenges, Embracing Disruptions, and Realizing New Opportunities
Imec
- January 12, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Digitizing Biology Using Chip-Based Life Science Tools
Peter Peumans, CTO Health
We find ourselves potentially at an inflection point where biology foundation models will be competent for the design and preclinical assessment of novel drugs, for the automation of advanced therapy manufacturing, and for predicting the future of a patient using a digital twin. These foundation models will need massive high quality datasets that digitize the relevant (multi-) omic landscapes, and bespoke compute resources from edge to cloud. I will discuss how at imec, we are leveraging mature and manufacturable chip platforms to develop and manufacture new generations of life science tools that will generate the datasets that will train biology foundation models.
Event details
The semiconductor industry is on a powerful trajectory toward a $1 trillion market, driven by soaring global demand, breakthrough innovation, and record-setting investment. We stand at a generational inflection point—where digital transformation, national priorities, and emerging technologies converge to redefine the role of semiconductors in the global economy. From AI and electric vehicles to next-gen computing and connectivity, chips are powering the future, and the pace of change is only accelerating.
Now is an exceptional moment to be part of this industry. As governments recognize semiconductors as strategic infrastructure and supply chains undergo dramatic realignment, new players, partnerships, and possibilities are reshaping the landscape in real time. Advancements in chip design, materials, packaging, and manufacturing—especially in response to AI-driven workloads—are opening new frontiers in performance, efficiency, and scale.
This year’s theme calls on industry leaders, innovators, policymakers, and investors to assess where we are, confront the challenges ahead—talent shortages, capacity constraints, geopolitical tensions, and sustainability; embrace the disruptions reshaping the market—from chiplet architectures to AI-driven design, from vertical integration to edge innovation and define the strategies and opportunities that will propel us forward.
ISS will explore the current pace of growth, the disruptions driving change, and the strategic decisions required to realize the $1T vision. Join us as we chart a bold path for the semiconductor industry—where speed, scale, and strategy align to shape the future!