JSR Corp., a leading supplier of photoresists for semiconductor manufacturing, anticipates a surge in chip sales due to the introduction of DeepSeek’s low-cost artificial intelligence model. Kenichi Emoto, an executive officer at JSR, believes that the Chinese startup’s affordable AI technology will significantly boost demand for semiconductors in the long run. JSR’s photoresists are crucial for ASML Holding NV’s extreme ultraviolet light lithography machines, which are essential for producing advanced chips. The company’s materials are also used in various parts of the semiconductor supply chain, serving clients such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Intel Corp., Samsung Electronics Co., and ASML. Emoto emphasized that advancements in AI technology are beneficial for the industry, even if they reshape the market landscape. JSR, which was delisted last year after being acquired by Japan Investment Corp., is advocating for consolidation among Japan’s materials manufacturers to enhance the country’s industrial competitiveness. The company hopes to create a strong materials manufacturer and increase Japan’s industrial competitiveness by encouraging collaboration among domestic players.