
Taiwan commits to advance quantum technology for AI innovation
Taiwan commits to advance quantum technology for AI innovation
- President Lai Ching-te announced Taiwan's strategic commitment to develop its quantum industry on March 6, 2023.
- The government has initiated Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects to enhance regional AI development and assist small and medium-sized enterprises.
- This approach aims to transition Taiwan from basic quantum research to practical applications, reinforcing its technological position.
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On March 6, 2023, at a press conference in Hsinchu City, Taiwan, President Lai Ching-te announced the government's commitment to foster collaboration with academia, experts, and businesses to promote Taiwan's quantum industry. This strategic shift aims to move from basic quantum research towards practical applications in various fields, emphasizing the significance of developing advanced quantum computing technologies as part of an innovation ecosystem catering to the demands of artificial intelligence. This proactive approach marks a pivotal moment in Taiwan's technology strategy and aims to position the nation as a leader in this emerging field. The president elaborated on the introduction of the Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects designed to create sovereign AI and computing power centers, enhancing smart governance, data governance, and talent cultivation to attract investments. With regional balanced development in AI as a key goal, the government is striving to assist over one million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises to adopt smart business practices, thereby creating an environment conducive to the implementation of practical AI applications. This broad strategy highlights Taiwan's ambition to integrate advanced technology into its economic landscape. Furthermore, President Lai expressed gratitude to James C. Liao, president of the Academia Sinica, for leading the development of significant advancements in quantum computing, including a 5-qubit superconducting quantum computer in 2023 and a 20-qubit superconducting quantum chip in January. The government's support will continue to uphold the second phase of the national quantum computing research and development initiative proposed by the National Science and Technology Council, aiming to advance quantum semiconductor technology by addressing transmission challenges in low-temperature environments. The initiative also focuses on launching a large-scale plan for software and hardware integration and accelerating personnel training. Enhancing computing capabilities for applications in finance, medical care, and transportation solutions remains a priority. Additionally, the development of quantum cybersecurity measures is instrumental in ensuring Taiwan's digital resilience and reinforcing its position in the global technology landscape. President Lai also launched a subsystem verification platform for quantum computing and visited a laboratory at the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute, marking further commitment to advancing quantum technology in Taiwan's strategic development agenda.