Deputy Digital Minister Isabel Hou (侯宜秀) says the key to developing Taiwan’s sovereign AI is cultivating talent and establishing local sources of training data. That came during a panel discussion on Thursday, May 14, which was a part of the ongoing Internet Week 2026 event co-organized by the Ministry of Digital Affairs.

Hou said that sovereign AI is not only about computing power and models, but also about creating and controlling necessary AI capabilities. She stressed that in talent and data, Taiwan can only rely on itself, while making use of foreign technology in other aspects. Hou added the ministry will continue to closely communicate with AI model providers.

Professor Hsu Yung-jen (許永真) from Chang Kung University’s Department of Artificial Intelligence said at the event that without sovereign AI there is no future. She said Taiwan should not focus its resources on developing artificial general intelligence (AGI) or competing in large-scale model creation. Instead, she advised building local data infrastructure and more collaboration with international technology companies. Hsu added that developing sovereign AI is not about pursuing complete technological self-reliance, but rather making sure Taiwan has sufficient leadership and control capabilities in the AI era.