Taiwan Launches AI Robotics Innovation & Development Center; Vice President Hsiao Highlights AI Localization

Vice President Bi-Khim Hsiao attended the inauguration of the "AI Robotics Innovation & Development Center" (ARIDC) in Tainan on May 19

Vice President Bi-Khim Hsiao attended the inauguration of the "AI Robotics Innovation & Development Center" (ARIDC) in Tainan on May 19, describing the launch as a major milestone in Taiwan's 10 AI Initiatives Promotion Plan (臺灣 AI 新十大建設). Hsiao said the Executive Yuan has approved the "Smart Robotics Industry Development Plan", integrated with the "Greater Southern New Silicon Valley Promotion Plan," (大南方新矽谷方案) aimed at strengthening Taiwan's capabilities in intelligent system integration and advancing the country from a global hardware manufacturing hub to a key exporter of smart solutions.

Hsiao noted that AI development must move beyond cloud computing and become deeply integrated into daily life and industrial applications. By combining sensing, decision-making, and human collaboration capabilities, AI is evolving into intelligent robotics that can address real-world challenges across healthcare, logistics, hospitality, disaster response, and other sectors. She emphasized that mastering such technologies is critical for Taiwan to maintain its global competitiveness while strengthening national resilience.

Bi-Khim Hsiao, Taiwan's Vice President

Highlighting Taiwan's world-leading semiconductor, ICT, and precision manufacturing sectors, Hsiao said the government is leveraging these advantages to address growing global challenges such as aging populations, labor shortages, and demographic decline. Centered on the Greater Southern New Silicon Valley Promotion Plan, the government is connecting Shalun, Liujia, and Liuying in Tainan to establish a comprehensive innovation corridor spanning advanced R&D, application validation, and mass production, extending AI development from data centers to Edge AI and embodied robotics.

Hsiao also stressed the importance of balanced regional and industrial development. She said Taiwan's innovation and economic growth should not be limited to science parks or major metropolitan areas, but should benefit communities nationwide. The government is also prioritizing support for SMEs and micro-enterprises through digital transformation, net-zero initiatives, and smart technology adoption, ensuring broader participation in Taiwan's industrial upgrading.

Referencing reflections by TSMC founder Morris Chang (張忠謀) on ITRI's early ecosystem, Hsiao said research institutions and government organizations must remain aligned with the speed and flexibility of private-sector innovation. She praised the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) for fostering new public-private-academic collaboration models focused on solving practical industry challenges, expressing hope that the center will become a new driver of innovation while contributing solutions to broader societal needs.

Source: Office of the President Taiwan