In an era where artificial intelligence is reshaping global influence, Taiwan is racing to establish its own "sovereign AI" framework, viewing it as essential for safeguarding economic growth, societal resilience, and defense priorities. This push stems from lessons learned in semiconductors and personal computing, now applied to the high-stakes world of computing power and advanced models.
Wu Han-chang(吳漢章), who leads ASUS Cloud and Taiwan AI Cloud(華碩雲端暨台智雲)—one of the island's flagship AI infrastructure initiatives—shared these insights in an in-depth discussion ahead of Storm Media's upcoming forum on geopolitical shifts and technological disruption. Set for March 11, the event will bring together Wu, former Premier Sean Chen, MiTAC Chairman Chou Wei-kun, and Kneron founder Albert Liu to unpack U.S.-China rivalries, trade barriers, and AI's transformative role. （Related： Interview | Taiwan's Drone Industry Has a Brain Problem — And Minwang Technology Is Solving It ｜ Latest ）
Building Control Over Core Capabilities
Taiwan's journey toward AI independence began well before the current hype, Wu explained. As far back as 2018, government contracts spurred local firms to develop GPU servers and supporting ecosystems, mirroring the strategies that built the island's dominance in chips and hardware. The goal was clear: foster end-to-end integration to avoid dependency on foreign suppliers.
By 2023, the rise of generative AI amplified these efforts, shifting focus to "model sovereignty." Unlike basic cloud storage, AI models shape user experiences, embedding cultural nuances, linguistic preferences, and societal values. "Outsourcing this risks losing control over information flows that could undermine national identity," Wu cautioned, equating AI's reach to that of military assets. For Taiwan, maintaining domestic oversight isn't optional—it's a bulwark against external vulnerabilities.
