Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) announced Wednesday that Taiwan’s “Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects” will be included in the next year’s national budget, underscoring the government’s efforts to advance smart manufacturing and industrial upgrading. He made the remarks at the joint opening of the Taiwan Automation Intelligence and Robot Show and Automation Taipei. 

Cho highlighted Taiwan’s strong foundation in smart manufacturing and automation, while noting that the plan focuses on three key areas: smart applications, core technologies, and infrastructure. Core technologies will include silicon photonics, quantum computing, and robotics, with the goal of positioning Taiwan as a hub in the global supply chain. The initiative also includes development of sovereign AI systems, enhanced computing power, major talent cultivation efforts, and an investment of more than NT$100 billion (US$3.3 billion).

As part of this strategy, a smart robotics park will be established in Liuying, a research center in Shalun, and an innovation and applications hub in Liujia in Tainan, creating an integrated industrial base. Cho described these projects as opening an ocean of opportunities for Taiwan and emphasized the ultimate goal of building an “intelligent living circle” where people in all sectors can benefit from smart technologies.

Addressing global trade challenges, Cho said Taiwan’s traditional industries, such as machine tools, must embrace digital and AI upgrades to stay competitive. He acknowledged difficulties posed by new U.S. trade policies, noting ongoing tariff negotiations. To reinforce resilience, the Cabinet has proposed amendments to the Special Act for Strengthening Economic, Social, and National Security Resilience in Response to International Developments, pledging an additional NT$20 billion (US$667 million) in support, raising the total to more than NT$93 billion (US$3.1 billion), pending legislative approval.