Taiwan Unveils $510 Billion AI Infrastructure Plan to Become Global Leader by 2040
Taiwan has announced its ambitious “Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects”—a strategic initiative aimed at generating over T$15 trillion ($510 billion) in economic value by 2040. The goal is to establish Taiwan as a global hub for artificial intelligence by leveraging its strengths in semiconductor manufacturing, information and communications technology (ICT), and robotics innovation.
The initiative was unveiled by Premier Cho Jung-tai in a Facebook post, where he described the nation’s vision to become a “smart technology island” and a key player in the global AI economy.
Strategic Focus: Three Core AI Technologies
Under the plan, Taiwan will prioritise three cutting-edge technology areas to drive its AI ambitions:
- Silicon Photonics
- A critical AI-enabling technology under active development by Taiwanese tech giants, including TSMC, the world’s largest contract chipmaker.
- Taiwan aims to become the global leader in silicon photonics by aligning R&D with the future needs of AI applications.
- Quantum Technology
- The government plans to establish a quantum technology industry chain, positioning Taiwan as a player in next-generation computing and secure communications.
- AI Robotics
- Backed by the newly formed Taiwan AI Robotics Industry Grand Alliance, led by Foxconn Chairman Young Liu, the country is set to become a global hub for AI robotics, leveraging its hardware and ICT supply chain strength.
National AI Infrastructure Goals
The “Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects” include:
- Development of sovereign AI capabilities (locally controlled and developed AI technologies)
- Establishment of robust computing infrastructure to support large-scale AI model training
- Balanced regional AI development across all areas of Taiwan
- AI integration across industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, education, and finance
Investment, Jobs, and Talent
To power this transformation, Taiwan plans to:
- Attract over T$100 billion ($3.08 billion) in AI-focused venture capital
- Create 500,000 new jobs in the AI and tech ecosystem
- Establish three world-class AI research laboratories to foster innovation and attract international partnerships
- Build an environment for AI talent development, positioning Taiwan as a global destination for AI research and investment
Conclusion
Taiwan’s Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects represent one of the most comprehensive AI national strategies in Asia, aiming to position the island nation as a tech superpower by 2040. With deep investments in silicon photonics, AI robotics, and quantum computing, Taiwan is laying the groundwork to lead in the next generation of artificial intelligence innovation.
