Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) has introduced a comprehensive set of artificial intelligence (AI) development policies, emphasizing the private sector as the primary engine of innovation. Minister Yen-nun Huang noted that the government's role is to create an enabling environment through targeted policy tools that support a vibrant and sustainable AI ecosystem.
Huang made the remarks on June 18 when delivering a special report to the Legislative Yuan's Transportation Committee on AI industry development policies. He emphasized that AI is advancing at an unprecedented pace and is set to reshape global industrial structures and social landscapes. Countries that lead in AI innovation, he asserted, will secure a critical edge in future global competition.
To strengthen Taiwan's position as a global AI hub, MODA is deploying five key policy tools: computing power, data, talent, marketing, and funding. Huang highlighted that these initiatives will be carried out through collaboration across industry, government, academia, and research institutions.
Free GPU resources for startups
As part of its computing power initiative, MODA will provide free GPU resources to support AI startups in the early stages of product development. These resources are intended to help startups validate their proof-of-concept (PoC) and reduce the high initial costs of hardware investment. The aim is to accelerate the transformation of innovative ideas into viable technical solutions.
Building sovereign AI training corpus
To enhance AI autonomy, MODA has launched the "Sovereign AI Training Corpus" initiative. Since early June, the ministry has started working with various government agencies to inventory existing language datasets. This corpus will extend beyond official documents to include Hakka and Indigenous languages, as well as cultural, historical, and geographic content. The first phase is expected to launch within two to three months and will be open to public institutions and industry players for application and use.
Developing AI talent across all levels
In terms of talent development, MODA is collaborating with AI-focused professional institutions to establish "AI Talent Certification Guidelines." These guidelines will define training objectives, categorize talent roles, and outline relevant curricula. The initiative targets three core talent groups: AI tool users, AI model developers, and AI researchers, aiming to integrate educational resources across government, academia, and private training bodies.
Shifting focus from subsidies to market opportunities
On the marketing front, Huang stressed that what businesses need most is not subsidies, but access to steady and meaningful commercial opportunities. MODA will organize networking and matchmaking events for the AI industry, while also introducing competition mechanisms to improve product quality and accelerate market validation.
NT$10 billion investment fund for AI startups
To bolster funding support, MODA has launched the "AI Startup Investment Enhancement Program." Under this initiative, the National Development Fund has committed NT$10 billion (approx. US$341.65 million) over 10 years. The fund will support AI startups with solid technical foundations and initial market validation, helping them scale up their operations and bring their solutions to market.
Article edited by Jack Wu
