Taiwan aims to become AI leader with new strategic plan

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) announced on Tuesday (June 4) a strategic plan to transform Taiwan (台灣) into an AI island at Taipei COMPUTEX (台北國際電腦展).

The plan includes stabilizing power supply, establishing supercomputers, and nurturing talent in the fields of wafer manufacturing, semiconductors, and AI. This move aims to position Taiwan at the forefront of global AI development.

A Boost from Industry Giants
President Lai specifically thanked NVIDIA's CEO, Jensen Huang (黃仁勳), for donating Taiwan's first supercomputer.

He also acknowledged the support from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (台積電 TSMC), which has agreed to cover the operational costs, further bolstering Taiwan's AI capabilities.

The government's commitment to providing a stable power supply, diverse green energy options, and establishing a local data center was also highlighted.

The Role of COMPUTEX
Paul Peng (彭双浪), chairman of the Taipei Computer Association, emphasized the critical importance of a reliable power supply for AI and data center operations.

He called for a stable power supply and accelerated efforts towards net-zero emissions. Peng also noted the significant growth of this year's COMPUTEX, with 1,500 exhibitors and 4,500 booths, marking a nearly 50% increase from the previous year.

This growth demonstrates the strength and trust in Taiwan's information and electronics industry over the past 40 years.

Peng urged the government to not only ensure the resilience and stability of the power supply but also to reevaluate the energy mix to provide more options for the computing industry's development.

He highlighted that computational power, clean and stable energy, and a skilled workforce are fundamental to the future progress of countries worldwide, especially amid increasing demands for carbon emission reduction and environmental sustainability.

This strategic initiative by the Taiwanese government, coupled with support from industry leaders, sets a clear path for Taiwan's ambition to become a leading AI hub, leveraging the global platform of COMPUTEX to showcase its capabilities and commitment to innovation and sustainability.