The Executive Yuan has pushed forward a new “10 major artificial intelligence [AI] infrastructure projects” program, expected to be introduced in the second half of this year. The program includes six infrastructure initiatives encompassing four emerging technologies — intelligent robots, quantum technology, silicon photonics and “sovereign AI.”
Taiwan is not alone in shifting its focus to AI development. The US, China and Europe are also investing heavily in advanced technologies such as semiconductors, AI and quantum computing — all of which have become key battlegrounds in the global tech race between the US, China and the EU.
On May 22, the prominent European think tank Bruegel released a report analyzing breakthrough patents and technological innovations to evaluate the strength and weaknesses of each region in the race for leadership in critical technologies. This report offers valuable insights for Taiwan.
The US comes first in both AI and quantum computing. Tech giants such as Google, IBM and Microsoft have mastered core technologies in AI and quantum systems, with patent portfolios heavily focused on areas such as machine learning, natural language processing and quantum hardware — demonstrating a robust ecosystem. Nvidia has made breakthroughs in the healthcare and military applications of its generative AI platform.
This tech-giant-led innovation model, combined with abundant new venture capital and a large market size, gives the US a significant advantage in commercializing new technologies. Collaboration with the US on the introduction of new technologies and joint development represents a major opportunity for Taiwan to upgrade and strengthen its industries, and maintain its technological competitiveness.
Meanwhile, China has come up with the most novel patents in the semiconductor sector, shifting from display technology innovation to rapid development in memory technology and semiconductor manufacturing. Companies such as Huawei, Changxin Xinqiao Memory Technologies and Yangtze Memory Technologies have demonstrated strong performance in breakthrough patents, illustrating Beijing’s determination to achieve semiconductor self-sufficiency through national funding programs such as the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund, China’s main financing vehicle for long-term semiconductor objectives.
Although US export controls have exerted pressure on China, its technological breakthrough strategy has not ceased — on the contrary, it has accelerated the push for domestic alternatives to the semiconductor supply chain.
It is critical that Taiwan actively deepen its research-and-development advantages to ensure it cannot be replaced by China in high-value areas, particularly in the market for brain chips and cerebellar chips for intelligent robots.
The EU’s performance is a bit more complicated. In the field of quantum computing, the EU relies on research institutions such as the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and Finnish quantum computer start-up IQM, rivaling China in technologies such as quantum hardware and quantum communication.
When it comes to AI and semiconductors, although European firms such as Infineon Technologies and Siemens have shown solid performance in sensors, automotive chips and micro-electromechanical systems, the proportion of breakthrough innovations remains noticeably lower than that of the US and China.
This indicates the EU’s need to enhance innovation momentum. Taiwan possesses robust academic and research institutions, and a strong foundation in semiconductor manufacturing, and thus could benefit from adopting Europe’s research-based model in quantum computing. Strengthening cross-disciplinary collaboration and increasing investment in scientific research could allow Taiwan to develop flexibility in expanding the application of emerging quantum technologies.
Observing this competition among the US, China and the EU, it is clear that innovation in critical technology patents is much more than a contest of quantity — it is a race centered on novelty and technological paths. The US holds the advantage in advanced application technologies such as generative AI and natural language processing, while China has focused on technology closely related to military applications, particularly computer vision and intelligent robotics. The EU’s development of quantum technologies is largely led by research institutions and innovation is decentralized — however, the process of commercialization needs to be accelerated.
This report should serve as a reminder for Taiwan that breakthrough patents are not mere technological indicators — they are inextricable from the allocation of national resources, policy initiative and industrial chain integration capabilities. Taiwan must clearly define its position in this global contest by strengthening its competitive edge in chip technologies, expanding cross-sector applications and proactively responding to evolving policies and market shifts in the US, China and Europe.
In the field of quantum computing, patent activity is dominated by tech giants in the US and China.
US companies such as IBM, Google, Microsoft and Intel are ranked in the top for the number of patent filings, while in China, Origin Quantum takes the lead of other modestly-contributing firms such as TCL and Huawei.
It is worth noting that quantum computing is unlike AI and semiconductors in that research institutions and universities play a much larger role in driving breakthrough innovation — particularly evident in Europe. European entities such as IQM in Finland and Equal1 Labs in Ireland could be potential partners for Taiwan in fostering international exchanges and cooperation.
Liao Ming-hui is an assistant researcher at the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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