TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The 2026 Smart City Summit & Expo (SCSE) and Net Zero City Expo opened Tuesday (March 17) in Taipei, drawing representatives from 174 cities across 53 countries to explore artificial intelligence and sustainable urban solutions. Organized by the Taipei Computer Association (台北市電腦商業同業公會), Taiwan Smart City Solutions Alliance (TSSA), and government agencies, the event features more than 2,250 booths across Taipei and Kaohsiung (高雄), Taiwan's second-largest city. More than 70 professional forums will take place during the multi-day event.
More than 3,000 international professionals are attending the expo, organizers said, alongside over 250 participating startups. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Poland have set up themed pavilions for the first time at the annual event. A total of 13 local governments from Taiwan have also established city-themed pavilions to highlight smart and net-zero initiatives underway in their jurisdictions.
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) told attendees at the opening ceremony that digitalization and net-zero transition are central to developing human-centered technologies. "We believe that digital and net-zero transformation are where the development of human-centered technologies are focused on," she said. Hsiao's remarks underscored Taiwan's commitment to positioning itself as a global hub for smart city innovation.
Market research cited by organizers projects the smart city AI market will grow from US$50.63 billion (around NT$1.62 trillion) in 2025 to US$460.47 billion (around NT$14.75 trillion) by 2034. To capitalize on this trend, the expo introduced a new initiative titled "City Vision in Action," connecting real-world urban challenges with practical solutions through government-industry collaboration. The initiative brings together 22 municipal challenges from 21 cities across 15 countries, covering smart governance, sustainability, transportation, energy transition, and social services.
Officials stressed the importance of keeping people at the center of technological development. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) emphasized the human aspect of smart city innovation. "If technology can help us save one more life, then a smart city is more than just technology. It's compassion and responsibility," he said. Chiang's comments reflected a broader theme at the expo prioritizing livability over pure efficiency.
A closed-door workshop is scheduled for Wednesday (March 18), followed by an international matchmaking event on Thursday (March 19) to foster long-term collaboration between cities and industry partners. The Taipei exhibition runs Tuesday through Friday (March 17-20) at Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 2. The expo then moves to Kaohsiung Exhibition Center from Friday through Sunday (March 20-22). ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$32.04)
