Taipei:Taiwan is positioned at the forefront of artificial intelligence development, boasting the highest AI exposure in the region, according to a senior Nasdaq executive.

According to Focus Taiwan, Nasdaq Executive Vice Chairman Edward Knight emphasized Taiwan's significant role in AI during the opening ceremony of Taiwan Weeks 2026. Knight noted that Taiwan's AI exposure stands at 71 percent, the highest in the region, and highlighted that the nation's equity market capitalization has become the fourth largest globally, surpassing the United Kingdom and India.

Knight explained that efficient capital markets are crucial for accelerating AI development by directing capital toward productive investments and assisting companies in funding research, building facilities, and hiring workers. He expressed optimism about Taiwan's future, recalling his first visit to Taipei in 1992 and noting the industriousness of its people. He also mentioned that Taiwan shares values of optimism, innovation, and leadership with the United States and Nasdaq.

Realizing AI's potential requires redesigning workflows, governance structures, and data architecture, Knight added, to achieve sustained productivity gains rather than merely adding technology to existing processes. He also outlined Nasdaq's efforts to modernize the market's infrastructure, including moving towards trading 23 hours a day, five days a week, with a projected Dec. 6 launch date.

Furthermore, Knight mentioned that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has approved Nasdaq's proposal to enable trading in tokenized securities. Tokenization could enhance market access, streamline settlements, and automate processes while preserving liquidity, transparency, and investor protections.