Taipei: Taiwan is striving to introduce the "Taiwan Digital Identity Wallet (TW DIW)" by the year's end, aiming to enhance digital services and protect personal information, as stated by Lin Yi-jing, the newly appointed Minister of Digital Affairs.
According to Focus Taiwan, Lin, who recently took charge of the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) following a Cabinet reshuffle, emphasized the TW DIW initiative in an interview. This digital identity wallet, announced by MODA last year, will initially allow users to reveal their identities in specific scenarios, such as at convenience stores. Store clerks will be able to scan QR codes from smartphones, facilitating package pickups without exposing full personal information, thus safeguarding privacy.
MODA highlights that the TW DIW will enable users to securely store digital credentials, including citizen digital certificates, National Health Insurance (NHI) cards, and driver's licenses. This will streamline procedures for various services, allowing for swift verification using mobile phones for tasks such as ticket collections, prescription pickups, and telecom service registrations.
Lin further explained that to enhance government digital services, MODA plans to consolidate data currently dispersed across local governments. This initiative aims to improve information access. He cited the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) initiative by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which enables doctors to access comprehensive patient medical records from different locations, aiding in accurate medical prescriptions.
The minister expressed plans to foster public-private partnerships to achieve data integration, potentially spurring innovations and new product developments in the private sector. Additionally, Lin outlined a strategy to build an AI ecosystem in Taiwan. MODA will continue providing free GPU computing resources to AI startups, having invested NT$65 million (US$2.12 million) last year to support them with 40 GPUs.
Moreover, MODA intends to acquire 100 more GPUs to assist AI startups in establishing their businesses. Lin revealed plans for business matchmaking conferences to connect these startups with potential clients, reducing operational costs. MODA is also seeking NT$10 billion from the National Development Fund to invest in AI startups, with the financing plan currently under review to identify promising investment opportunities.