As a global technology correspondent, I have witnessed the rapid acceleration of the AI era. At the opening day of Taiwan Innotech Expo (TIE) 2026, I learned how AI has become the backbone of Taiwan’s next economic chapter.
The expo itself is the physical manifestation of this shift: scale, international cooperation, and government coordination. Ultimately, “innovation for value creation” is the creed Taiwan stands for, striving for system-integration leadership and embedded AI across every industry.
As a certain not-to-be-named company revealed more instances of disturbing large language model behaviour that posits the destruction of humanity under AI, Taiwan is building systems that ensure the world operates with intention. The government recognizes this defining tool for traditional industries must evolve to create real value across all parts of the economy (not just in factories and service sectors). This is a timely notion given the current hysteria about how rapidly AI is evolving, and the aforementioned concerns.
A global race for infrastructure and leadership around AI is well underway in Taiwan. This year’s expo is jointly organized by 12 Taiwanese government agencies, built around a new policy framework for orderly development transformation based on three pillars to actively reshape its industrial base and set a global standard. Those pillars are smart applications, key technologies, and digital infrastructure. 400+ exhibitors from 18 countries are showcasing over 1,000 technologies to collectively demonstrate how AI is permeating all industries. I do mean all industries, including health, sports, smart manufacturing, water resources, next‑generation communications, agriculture, net‑zero sustainability, and more.
The opening ceremony certainly emphasised TIE’s scale and prestige, as evidenced by the government officials and partnerships. The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) had the strongest presence. Political Deputy Minister of the Executive Yuan Wu Cheng-wen, Vice Minister of Economic Affairs Cynthia Kiang, and representatives from various government agencies were all in attendance. Together, they unveiled the exhibition, demonstrating the government’s commitment to advancing technological innovation and industrial development through cross-ministerial collaboration. They stood on the stage like superheroes, eager to get back to work to serve humanity instead of ending it. Their mission is clear, and government leaders emphasized that Taiwan’s innovation ecosystem must now prioritize commercialization, which is why they have committed 229.2 billion TWD (~7.2 billion USD) to technological development next year. It speaks volumes about their initiative.
Essentially, Taiwan wants to open its doors to all ambassadors and representatives in (and out of) Taiwan, enhancing international engagement and global relevance. The theme of “AI-Powered Innovation, Sustainable Future” reflects that ambition. An event like this serves as a bridge for technology transfer, patent licensing, and industry-academia collaboration. The timing is great for Taiwan, as I learned of its exceptional economic performance in 2026, marking a 39-year high as economic growth reached 14.15% in the first half of 2026. As mentioned, they anticipate major investments in Sovereign AI infrastructure. While Taiwan has always been a frontrunner in hardware, now is the time to combine chip design, system architecture, and AI model development into comprehensive, problem-solving application systems.
New developments at the show
I am fortunate to be part of an international delegation witnessing Taiwan’s achievements and momentum in overseas expansion. With other media representatives and industry professionals, I visited companies spotlighting AI, Frontier Technologies, and ICT. I encountered a significant breakthrough in data center infrastructure: a 3.2-terabit-per-second silicon photonics optical engine. This technology directly addresses the critical need for higher speed and capacity in AI-driven data transmission. By shortening the physical distance between the chip’s electrical signal origination and the optical conversion point, the design significantly reduces latency and signal loss.
I also explored how local innovators are transforming maritime logistics by applying a “floating campus” model to marine vessels. By integrating high-bandwidth onboard 5G systems with satellite backhaul, these companies are connecting isolated ships and shore-based command centers, enabling real-time remote maintenance, high-resolution drone navigation, and AI-driven cargo safety verification. This sophisticated hybrid infrastructure demonstrates Taiwan’s leadership in the categories above, proving how robust connectivity can ensure operational continuity, safety, and precision even in the most remote environments on Earth. Such infrastructure provides essential services, including product verification and R&D support, to the broader industry.
My next mission: visit the Green Innovation and Healthcare booths on the show floor. I am also excited for the Invention Competition featuring 550 entries from teams in Japan, Poland, Singapore, and more. These highlight Taiwan’s goal of moving towards a more sustainable future. Government backing for advanced R&D and AI-driven innovation, as shown by the presence of leadership at TIE, underscores the national significance of the event. I am excited to witness more of their strategic transformation and how they are building the future of technology. Stay tuned for more!
