As Taiwan’s industry approaches a turning point in digital transformation, the Executive Yuan launched the “Digital Nation and Innovative Economic Development Program” (DIGI+) in December 2016 to develop value-added services, guide existing businesses’ transformation to providing data services, and enhancing the industry development environment for data services through alliances. Additionally, the Executive Yuan held the “Strategic Review Board Meeting for the Smart System and Chip Industry” in July 2017 to define AI application development as a technological strategy consensus between industry, government, academia, and research and passed the “Taiwan AI Action Plan” on June 18, 2018. As such, the program promotes “prioritizing experience innovation, developing soft- and hardware together, stimulating industry momentum” according to the action plan, uses Taiwan’s advantages in the information and communication industry to plan smart technology applications and service innovation, and boosts economic growth and improve quality of life.

The two main cores of the program are infusing “industries with AI” and “industrializing AI.” The former relies on the critical information and communication industry’s key technologies and research capabilities, integrating the niche demands of vertical field to speed up industry growth. The latter develops niche integrated chips and sub-systems in key fields, combining innovative technologies such as cloud computing, big data, and AI. The program thus enhances smart system solutions for applications in niche areas, accelerating the development of smart service ecosystem and helping Taiwanese businesses meet the global smart system economy.