C. C. Wei

Dr. C.C. Wei (Che-Chia Wei) is the chairman and chief executive officer of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world's largest contract chip manufacturer. Wei earned bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering from National Chiao Tung University and completed graduate studies at Yale University, where he received a Ph.D. in electrical engineering. His doctoral dissertation was titled "RF Plasma Damage in MOS Structures." Wei has also been awarded an honorary doctorate in engineering and science from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University.

After receiving his doctorate, Wei joined Texas Instruments as a member of its research and development technical staff. He later served as senior manager for logic and SRAM technology development at STMicroelectronics and as senior vice president of technology at Charter Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Wei joined Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and advanced through roles including senior vice president of business development, co-chief operating officer, and co-CEO. He was appointed CEO and later succeeded Mark Liu as chairman, becoming the first individual to hold both roles simultaneously at the company.

When U.S. sanctions prevented Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company from selling semiconductors to Huawei Technologies, Wei's leadership enabled the company to secure new contracts from major clients, including Apple. Wei has developed strong relationships with technology companies such as Apple, AMD, and Nvidia, supporting the company's leadership in semiconductor innovation. On Fortune's Global 500, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company rose significantly following a substantial increase in revenue, becoming one of the most profitable companies in the ranking.

Under Wei's leadership, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has expanded its global footprint, establishing advanced manufacturing facilities in the United States, Japan, and Germany. Wei joined U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House to announce a major investment into the company's Arizona operations. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company has reported strong financial results, with significant revenue and net income growth. Wei has positioned the company as a leader in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing, transforming it into a strategic player in the global technology economy.

Wei's contributions to the semiconductor industry have been recognized by the Semiconductor Industry Association, which named him a co-recipient of the Robert N. Noyce Award. Time named Wei among the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence. Yale University awarded him the Wilbur Lucius Cross Medal for his work in scholarship, public service, teaching, and academic administration. Fortune also named Wei among the 100 most influential businesspeople in the world. Wei is recognized as a significant voice in global technology, providing insight into the forces shaping semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and geopolitical competition.