Cover Jonney Shih, chairman, Asus
Jonney Shih, chairman, Asus
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Big tech reshapes industries, economies and daily life. Meet the brilliant minds driving Asia’s top technology companies
No doubt, tech runs the world. Companies like Apple, Google, Nvidia and Meta are dominant forces, transforming industries, economies and everyday life. Asian firms such as AMD and TSMC also play a crucial role, particularly in advancing artificial intelligence as they produce advanced chips and power AI training, gaming and data centres. Behind some of the world’s most transformative tech companies are the visionary leaders of Asia’s Most Influential who push the boundaries of innovation, redefining how people live.
Tech giants like Foxconn’s Yang Wei Liu, Asus’ Jonney Shih and HTC’s Cher Wang are among the great minds leading the charge, pioneering advancements in AI, robotics, semiconductors and electric vehicles. Their leadership has not only revolutionised hardware manufacturing but also expanded into groundbreaking fields such as virtual reality and smart automation. As they drive the next wave of technological evolution, they ensure that Asia remains at the forefront of the digital revolution.
Also read: Meet the innovative chocolatiers behind Asia’s finest chocolate creations
Cher Wang, co-founder, chairman and CEO, HTC Corporation
Above Cher Wang, co-founder, chairman and CEO, HTC Corporation
Cher Wang, co-founder, chairman and CEO, HTC Corporation
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An influential leader in the world of technology, Cher Wang has been instrumental in shaping mobile communications, virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR). In 1997, she co-founded HTC Corporation, initially focusing on manufacturing mobile devices and PDAs (personal digital assistants) for companies like O2, T-Mobile, Orange and Palm. In 2008, the company launched its smartphone and briefly became the leading smartphone vendor in the US, surpassing Samsung and Apple.
Upon becoming the CEO of HTC in 2015, Wang led the tech firm into the virtual reality space with the VIVE headset and, in the process, contributed to several advancements in VR and XR technologies. HTC’s latest release, the Vive Focus Vision XR headset, for example, features several cutting-edge enhancements, including integrated eye-tracking for seamless headset sharing and dual front-facing cameras that allow users to see the world more realistically.
In January 2025, HTC also announced that it will sell part of its XR unit, including headsets and glasses, to Google for US$250 million. The move strengthens both companies’ commitment to advancing the Android XR platform and devices.
Yang Wei Liu, chairman, Foxconn Technology Group
Above Yang Wei Liu, chairman, Foxconn Technology Group
Yang Wei Liu, chairman, Foxconn Technology Group
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Yang Wei Liu has played a pivotal role in transforming the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, Foxconn. Since succeeding Terry Gou in 2019, the chairman has led the firm’s expansion beyond contract manufacturing into cutting-edge industries such as electric vehicles (EVs), semiconductors, AI and robotics. In 2021, Foxconn unveiled its EV lineup, the Model C SUV, Model E sedan and Model T bus. It has since added more models, including a pickup and a multi-purpose utility vehicle, reinforcing its ambition to become a key player in the EV market.
Liu has also spearheaded Foxconn’s push into AI and automation, advancing smart manufacturing and robotics. Recent reports indicate that Foxconn is strengthening its partnership with Nvidia to help develop humanoid robots, signalling its future in AI-driven automation. With this, Liu keeps Foxconn at the cutting edge of innovation, expanding its impact beyond traditional electronics manufacturing into emerging industries.
Jonney Shih, chairman, Asus (Taiwan)
Above Jonney Shih, chairman, Asus
Jonney Shih, chairman, Asus
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Since becoming chairman of Asus in 1992, Jonney Shih has solidified the company’s position as a global leader in technology. Under his leadership, Asus ranked first in worldwide motherboard sales and third in consumer notebooks. Shih’s emphasis on design thinking has led to innovative products like the compact Eee PC, which birthed the netbook category of PCs, the ZenFone, which marked Asus’ entry into the smartphone market, and the Zenbo, the home robot designed as a household companion.
Building on the company’s successes, Asus recently announced the Zenfone 12 Ultra, its premium smartphone that boasts a bevvy of AI capabilities for portrait photography, transcription and other productivity and communication needs. Asus has also been named among Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for 2025, marking its 10th time receiving the honour.
“This achievement reaffirms the success of our design thinking approach, which prioritises customer satisfaction as the key to driving sustainable growth. At the heart of this success is our unwavering commitment to a culture of radical truth and transparency, which empowers our teams to innovate, overcome challenges, and fully embrace revolutionary technologies like AI,” said Shih in a statement.
Tatler Asia’s Most Influential is the definitive list of people shaping our world today. Asia’s Most Influential brings together the region's most innovative changemakers, industry titans and thought leaders who are driving positive impact in Asia and beyond. View the full list here.
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