
Taiwan plans AI projects to boost economy by $510 billion
TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan plans to launch its "Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects" initiative, aimed at generating more than T$15 trillion ($510 billion) in economic value by 2040 as it strives to become a global leader in artificial intelligence.
Premier Cho Jung-tai said in a Facebook post late on Tuesday that Taiwan aims to leverage its information and communications technology (ICT) sector and world-leading semiconductor manufacturing capabilities to become a global AI influencer and a "smart technology island."
Under the initiative, Taiwan has identified three core technologies as strategic priorities: silicon photonics, quantum technology and AI robotics.
Silicon photonics is a technology that Taiwan's TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, and many other firms in the industry are actively developing.
The government aims to position Taiwan as a global leader in silicon photonics by aligning the sector with future AI development needs.
Taiwan also hopes to become a key hub for AI robotics by tapping its hardware and ICT supply chains.
Industry groups, including one led by Foxconn Chairman Young Liu, have backed the move with the formation of the Taiwan AI Robotics Industry GrandAlliance on Tuesday to support the local development of AI robotics and related ecosystems.
Taiwan also plans to establish a quantum technology industry chain.
The 10 projects also include the development of sovereign AI - ability to build and control domestic AI technologies - and computing infrastructure, efforts to balance AI development across different regions of the island, and the introduction of AI across a wide range of industries.
The government also calls for expanding investment in AI innovation, with more than T$100 billion ($3.08 billion) in venture capital funding, as it seeks to become a global hub for AI talent and investment.
The initiative targets the creation of 500,000 jobs and the establishment of three international-level research laboratories.
(Reporting by Wen-Yee Lee; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Italy's Meloni says it's a 'positive' trade deal was reached but needs to see details
FILE PHOTO: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaks to the media with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker (not pictured) at Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy, July 15, 2025. REUTERS/Yara Nardi/File Photo ROME (Reuters) -Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Sunday it is "positive" a trade deal has been reached between the European Union and the United States, adding, however, that she needs to see the details. Washington struck a framework trade deal with the EU imposing a 15% import tariff on most EU goods. "I consider it positive that there is an agreement, but if I don't see the details I am not able to judge it in the best way," Meloni told journalists on the sidelines of a meeting in Addis Ababa. Italy is one of the biggest European exporters to the U.S., with a trade surplus of more than 40 billion euros. The Italian government, led by a nationalist coalition, had urged its European partners to avoid a direct clash between the two sides of the Atlantic. In a statement, Meloni said that the agreement "ensures stability", adding that the 15% "is sustainable, especially if this percentage is not added to previous duties, as was originally planned." "We are ready to activate support measures at the national level, but we ask that they also be activated at the European level for sectors that will be particularly affected by US tariff measures," she added. The statement was also signed by the leaders of the other two coalition parties: Antonio Tajani of Forza Italia and Matteo Salvini of the League. (Reporting by Sara Rossi and Giselda Vagnoni, editing by Diane Craft and Nick Zieminski)


Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Malay Mail
HKSTP Takes Nine Game-Changing AI Tech Ventures to WAIC 2025 to Advance China's AI Plus Vision in Transforming Business and Industry
HKSTP is embarking on a mission to advance China's AI Plus vision with nine Hong Kong AI park companies at the WAIC 2025. Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre Limited (HKSRE ) is an InnoHK R&D centre focuses on aerospace technology R&D to foster international collaboration for the Chang'e-8 mission. It brings together institutions from local and overseas to jointly develop the mission's Hong Kong-operated robot—a multifunctional lunar surface operations and mobile charging system. ) is an InnoHK R&D centre focuses on aerospace technology R&D to foster international collaboration for the Chang'e-8 mission. It brings together institutions from local and overseas to jointly develop the mission's Hong Kong-operated robot—a multifunctional lunar surface operations and mobile charging system. Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics ( CAIR ) Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation Chinese Academy of Sciences is another InnoHK R&D centre, showcases MicroNeuro, the world's first flexible robotic system for minimally invasive neurosurgery to address challenges of fragile brain tissue and confined spaces, surpassing human surgical limits. ( ) is another InnoHK R&D centre, showcases MicroNeuro, the world's first flexible robotic system for minimally invasive neurosurgery to address challenges of fragile brain tissue and confined spaces, surpassing human surgical limits. Digital Domain, a global leader in Hollywood visual effects and AI virtual human technologies, showcases the AI-powered video creation solution "HANBAO" and "AI DOMAIN", an all-in-one content creation platform, empowering creators to tailor high-quality short videos for online platforms. Digital Domain has set up its state-of-the-art R&D centre in Hong Kong, driving the innovative development among entertainment and cross-industry. Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAIR) ClusterTech Limited Digital Domain Hong Kong Centre for Cerebro-cardiovascular Health Engineering (COCHE) HK INBOT TECHNOLOGY LIMITED Hong Kong Space Robotics and Energy Centre Limited MattVerse Limited Metapool Technology Limited Ultipa Hong Kong Limited HONG KONG SAR / SHANGHAI, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 27 July 2025 - Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is embarking on a mission to advance China's AI Plus vision with nine Hong Kong AI park companies at the World AI Conference & High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance (WAIC) 2025, taking place from July 26-29 in Shanghai, China. In collaboration with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Cyberport, HKSTP is leveraging Hong Kong's growing global AI innovation hub status to advance the China's strategic AI initiative and applying AI and big data to transform old and new industry sectors to boost a new era of growth."Hong Kong is a crucible for world-class AI innovation and our unique HKSTP ecosystem provides an ideal platform to empower AI tech firms with global fluency and pave the way for global expansion. By taking local tech companies on a global growth journey and attracting more international startups to land Hong Kong and integrating into the Mainland China or even the Asia markets means a growing critical mass of world-class AI innovators is created. This influx of global talent and technology will accelerate the country's high-tech industry and economic development, further fueling the national drive for new quality productive forces."The nine park enterprises participating in the Hong Kong Pavilion cover technologies in life and health tech, fintech, entertainment, aerospace tech, digital education and more, highlights included:In addition to the showcase of tech firms, HKSTP also hosted a provoking panel discussion at WAIC 2025, exploring the theme of: "From Hong Kong to global impact: Shaping the future with AI and New Quality Productive Forces for Cross-industry Growth", moderated by Ms Pheona Kan, Director of Business Development at HKSTP with the fellow scientists and experts from the discussion highlighted how Hong Kong has a unique role in global AI development by uniting international talent and technology behind the city's AI vision which also aligns with China's vision to transform industry through quality productive the largest I&T ecosystem in Hong Kong, HKSTP is home to over 500 AI startups, including home-grown unicorns that are shaping the future of artificial intelligence. In alignment with Hong Kong's bold vision for technological leadership, the HKSTP San Tin Technopole Campus—a 20-hectare site within the soon-to-be-built San Tin Technopole—will serve as a critical catalyst for the city's next wave of innovation. Strategically located in the heart of the Northern Metropolis, the Campus is poised to become a flagship landmark for AI+ and beyond, aiming to promote its widespread development and application across year, WAIC 2025, themed "Global Solidarity in the AI Era," will bring together top scientists, global leaders, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and innovators in the AI participation at WAIC 2025 is a testament to Hong Kong's role as a bridge between Chinese and global innovators, fostering collaboration and exchange of ideas, technologies, and governance #HKSTP The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 to create a thriving I&T ecosystem grooming 13 unicorns, more than 15,000 research professionals and over 2,300 technology companies from 26 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc. Our growing innovation ecosystem offers comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures, with the I&T journey built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined. Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen plays positive roles in connecting the world and the mainland with our proximity, strengthening cross-border exchange to bring advantages in attracting global talent and allowing possibilities for the development of technology companies in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability, with both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition facilities, and more. Through our R&D infrastructure, startup support and enterprise services, commercialisation and investment expertise, partnership networks and talent traction, HKSTP continues to contribute in establishing I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong. More information about HKSTP is available at


The Star
6 hours ago
- The Star
Romanian deputy PM resigns after bribery case resurfaces
BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian deputy prime minister Dragos Anastasiu resigned on Sunday after an old corruption scandal in which he was involved as a witness resurfaced at a time when the one-month-old coalition government is trying to enforce cost-cutting reforms. Anastasiu had been tasked by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan with overseeing the reform of state-owned companies, part of broader efforts to reduce the largest budget deficit in the European Union and root out waste and inefficiency. Last week, an old corruption case revealed that one of Anastasiu's firms had been blackmailed by a tax authority inspector into paying bribes disguised as consultancy fees for eight years from 2009 or risk lengthy inspections. The company later denounced the inspector, who was convicted in 2023. Anastasiu and his business partner were never charged with a crime. Anastasiu said his company had paid all its taxes and the bribes were "for survival, not profit". "I encourage every entrepreneur to speak out and say under what conditions business has been done in Romania and no longer accept what we did while making mistakes," he told reporters on Sunday. The government, which will hike several taxes from August and is laying off staff and cutting bonuses, has already faced several street protests but has narrowly avoided a ratings downgrade from the lowest rung of investment grade. The European Union and NATO state has been rocked by political instability in the wake of a presidential election, which was cancelled in December and re-run in May, with market turmoil boosting borrowing costs and crashing the leu currency. (Reporting by Luiza Ilie; editing by Giles Elgood)