Taipei: President Lai Ching-te announced that the government has set a target of cultivating 500,000 “artificial intelligence professionals” by the year 2040. The plan includes an investment of NT$100 billion (US$31.6 billion) into a venture capital fund to support this initiative.

According to Focus Taiwan, Lai made the announcement at the 2026 AI talent forum in Taipei, highlighting the government’s 10-year AI development initiatives that were introduced last year. These initiatives aim to establish a national computing center and focus on developing key technologies such as silicon photonics, quantum computing, and robotics.

Lai emphasized that national competitiveness will increasingly depend on advanced chipmaking capabilities and the ability for citizens to effectively use AI across various disciplines. In response, the government is implementing AI training courses for the public sector and encouraging civil servants and students to acquire AI skills.

President Lai noted that AI represents a significant opportunity for Taiwan to achieve economic transformation. This transformation is envisioned through collaboration among government, industry, and academia. With a growing AI talent pool, the government seeks to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in accelerating digital upgrades and enhancing their competitiveness.