Premier Lai Ching-te today attended a press conference for the launch of a new Microsoft artificial intelligence (AI) research and development center in Taiwan. He noted the great significance of the company’s move, as it signals that Taiwan’s promotion of the AI industry has won the support of a world-class enterprise. The premier expressed hope that Microsoft and the relevant government ministries and agencies will work together—from initial investment to the research and development stage—to connect the project with the broader development of “smart” industries in Taiwan.

The promotion of AI stands as one of the government’s major policies, and transforming Taiwan into a smart digital nation is one of the five governing objectives for nation building that Premier Lai raised in his policy report to the Legislative Yuan. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and the Ministry of Science and Technology both promote policies aimed at AI, including facilitation platforms, research and development centers, technology hubs and the AI Edge semiconductor “moonshot” program. Altogether, the government has budgeted NT$16 billion (US$540.5 million) over the next five years to create an innovative environment for AI. These efforts have the full support of industry, government and academia.

Over the past decade and more, Taiwan has built a firm foundation in industry, semiconductors and information and communications technology, and the nation’s vertically integrated enterprises have moved to the global forefront. Now with the assistance of Microsoft, said the premier, Taiwan looks forward to linking these successes to the AI industry.

Date: 2018-01-10
Source: Department of Information Services, Executive Yuan