TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Google Taiwan launched its largest AI infrastructure hardware development center outside the United States in Shilin District (士林區) Thursday (Nov. 20). The new facility marks a major expansion of Google's operations in Taiwan, featuring meeting rooms named after local attractions like Guishan Island and Wufengqi Waterfall to immerse international employees in Taiwanese culture. The office showcases Taiwanese elements, including a logo crafted from retired motherboards on the 19th floor.
Google Cloud's hardware testing and lab manager confirmed the facility features a power validation lab with a bidirectional recycling system that returns unused electricity to Taiwan Power's (台電) grid. The office sits three minutes from Jiantan Station (捷運劍潭站) and under ten minutes from NVIDIA's (輝達) planned Beitou Shilin Technology Park (北投士林科技園區, BSTP) location. Inventec (英業達) operates nearby, creating a technology cluster.
Google invested NT$7 billion (around US$224 million) in March for product development, including smartphones. Greg Moore, Google Cloud's general manager of platform development, confirmed that the company will continue to hire software, hardware, and project management professionals. Moore expressed optimism about AI growth trends, despite previous comments from the CEO about potential irrational investment.
The facility strengthens Google's presence in Taiwan and demonstrates a commitment to innovation and talent acquisition. Google's workforce expansion aims to solidify its position in the AI sector for future technological advancements. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.2)
