October 22, 2024

Securing a global talent force to turn Taiwan into an ‘AI Island’ will require implementing more rigorous international training programs, boosting salaries and increasing English-language competency Taiwan’s AI industry will generate over NT$1 trillion by 2026, according to projections by the National Development Council (NDC), based largely on Taiwan’s dominance in semiconductor manufacturing. But the […]

President William Lai’s (賴清德) vision for Taiwan to become an “AI island” has three conditions: constructing advanced data centers, ensuring a stable and green energy supply, and cultivating AI talent. However, the energy issue supply is the greatest challenge.

To clarify, let’s reframe the problem in terms of the Olympics. Given Taiwan’s OEM (original equipment manufacturer) roles in the technology sector, Taiwan is not an athlete in the AI Olympics, or even a trainer, but rather a training ground for global AI athletes (AI companies).

In other words, Taiwan’s semiconductor ecosystem provides world-class training facilities and equipment that have already attracted top AI athletes like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia and AMD. But for these athletes to train effectively, Taiwan also needs to provide a proper diet to literally power them. They need a balanced diet of quality electricity that Taiwan may not be able to provide.

In the current job-hunting season in Taiwan, many young people are concerned about the impact of advanced AI technologies on employment, with 50% of those aged 18-35 worrying about job prospects due to generative AI. While AI can automate repetitive tasks, certain jobs, especially those requiring human insight and creativity, will still rely on human workers. The key takeaway for job seekers is to understand AI tools, use them to enhance productivity, and focus on developing skills that require human expertise, such as creativity and problem-solving, to remain competitive in an AI-driven future.