Taiwan’s three major science parks reported NT$2.7 trillion (US$90 billion) in revenue for the first half of 2025, up 26.74 percent from a year earlier—a record high for the period.

The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) released the figures Wednesday at a briefing on park operations. It said global high-tech industries benefitted from the rapid spread of AI applications, along with rising investment in cloud services and edge computing, while semiconductor demand remained robust.

Hsinchu Science Park generated NT$820 billion (US$27 billion), an 11.47 percent increase from the first half of 2024. Central Taiwan Science Park posted NT$540 billion (US$18 billion), up 8.14 percent. Southern Taiwan Science Park contributed NT$1.38 trillion (US$45 billion), surging 48.78 percent.

National Science and Technology Council Minister Wu Cheng-wen (吳誠文)

NSTC Minister Wu Cheng-wen (吳誠文) said that based on first-half performance, company reports, and forecasts from major research institutes, Taiwan’s science parks are on track to set another record this year, with the full-year revenue projected to surpass NT$5.4 trillion (US$180 billion).

“The revenue generated by companies in the science parks is a direct contribution, boosting tax income and supporting employees. But it also has an indirect impact by strengthening the capital market and making the world more willing to invest in Taiwan,” Wu said.

Looking ahead, Wu cited exchange rate fluctuations, tariff policies, and U.S. Section 232 trade measures as ongoing challenges. He added that Taiwan must keep a close eye on AI industry dynamics to guard against corrections that could hit exports and disrupt supply chains.

On speculation about an AI bubble, Wu said development is still in its early stages. No matter how applications evolve, he stressed, semiconductors remain essential—and that is Taiwan’s unique advantage.

Meanwhile, U.S. chip giant NVIDIA announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI, pledging a US$100 billion (NT$3 trillion) investment to build next-generation AI data centers.

Taiwan Institute of Economic Research Research Director Liu Pei-chen (劉佩真)

Taiwan Institute of Economic Research Research Director Liu Pei-chen (劉佩真) said U.S. cloud service providers are expected to spend about US$350 billion this year. Growth in 2026 was initially expected to slow, but the NVIDIA–OpenAI deal has added new momentum to the global AI race. She said Taiwan’s complete supply chain—from TSMC’s advanced processes to servers, industrial computers, and robotics—positions the island to benefit, with AI and semiconductors set to remain strong into 2026.

“This will inevitably push other competitors and AI players to keep investing in infrastructure, sovereign AI, and new chips. It becomes a cycle of ongoing investment, and next year’s AI spending could exceed expectations,” noted Liu.