Taiwan should fight for discursive dominance in artificial intelligence (AI)-related issues, rather than serving as merely an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of AI systems, an Asia Group expert said yesterday.
The business consulting group on Wednesday published a report titled “Everything, everywhere, all at once: the emerging AI governance in Indo-Pacific and its implications for data-driven businesses.”
The report states that in AI governance, there are two main categories of countries in the Indo-Pacific region: pro-innovation and pro-security.
Photo: Chang Chia-ming, Taipei Times
“Our findings suggest that … Indo-Pacific economies’ national AI strategies are more likely to diverge than converge… Compounding this challenge is the US’ current aversion to taking the lead in setting regional standards,” the report said.
The report also said that China, with its security-focused political system, is keen to export its AI governance model abroad.
Taiwan adopts a “pro-innovation rule-taking” framework in AI governance, the report said
“As the world’s largest contributor to advanced semiconductor manufacturing and production, Taiwan is well-positioned to effectively develop and integrate AI at home,” the report said.
“However, the island’s contested sovereignty and ensuing exclusion from many international institutions will limit Taipei’s ability to set the global AI policy agenda,” it added.
George Chen (陳澍), managing director and head of the Hong Kong and Taiwan offices and cochair of digital practice for The Asia Group, said Taiwan paid early attention to AI governance compared with other nations in the region and has kept up with global trends.
Taiwan has an absolute advantage in AI hardware and is a little behind in AI software, Chen said, adding that the government should consider how to make sure the latter can catch up with the former through supporting policies.
Now is the time to set game rules of how AI should be developed, he said.
“After you have the AI draft act passed at the legislature, you should consider how to export Taiwan’s AI governance experiences to the world. You should fight for discursive dominance in AI in the international community through democratic allies, such as the US and Japan,” Chen said.
“It would be a pity if Taiwan serves only as an OEM in the AI era,” Chen added.
Countries around the world are currently seeking to establish AI governance principles, although progress has varied. The US has only used AI executive orders and state government bills, while the EU’s first AI law took effect last month.
The Ministry of Digital Affairs announced a draft AI basic act on July 15, which, if passed by the legislature would make Taiwan only the second country to have an AI law.
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