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Beyond the Cloud: Transforming AI into Real-World Applications in Taiwan

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to make waves globally, the real challenge lies in harnessing its potential for tangible benefits across various sectors. Recent discussions at the "AI Everyday Seeing the Next Step for Taiwan's Industry" forum, organized by the National Development Council (NDC), spotlighted this very concern. The forum culminated on October 17, revealing a strategic roadmap tailored for Taiwan's industries, effectively shifting the focus from abstract concepts to practical implementations of AI.

The Role of AI as an Enabler, Not a Standalone Industry

Richard Lee, CEO of the Asia Silicon Valley Development Agency (ASVDA), emphasized a crucial point: AI should be promoted not just for its own sake. His insights reveal that ASVDA has developed nearly 300 smart applications over recent years, underscoring AI's role as an enabler across various fields—particularly in semiconductors and applications that unlock new business models. This transformation aims to reinforce Taiwan's competitive edge in semiconductor and AI technologies while ensuring these advances benefit diverse industries.

Understanding AI: Core Pillars of Implementation

Professor Yun Nung Chen from the National Taiwan University demystified AI through three foundational aspects: Perception, Generation, and Inference. These elements serve as the backbone of machine learning, powering tasks such as facial recognition and personalized marketing. Professor Chen presented a compelling vision of human-AI collaboration, where human roles evolve into supervisory positions that guide AI processes, thus enhancing productivity.

An illustrative case presented was an AI HR Assistant designed for corporate environments, demonstrating how such technology can streamline checking leave policies and applications, allowing human supervision at critical junctures. Professor Chen also cautioned, "The future will not see AI replacing humans; rather, those who effectively use AI will outpace those who do not."

Indigenous Drone Technology for National Security

Monica Lee, co-founder of Aiseed, shared her team's journey toward developing indigenous defense drones. Emphasizing the importance of self-reliance in software and hardware R&D, she cited successful implementations in various mission scenarios, including handling GPS interference and obstacle navigation. Addressing the rapid transformation of the defense industry through startups in Europe and the U.S., she challenged the notion that Taiwan should remain only an OEM and ODM hub, asserting its critical role in global supply chains.

AI Innovations in Elderly Care

In an aging society, addressing frontline workforce shortages is paramount. Hugo Lin, CEO of Humetrics, showcased a pioneering solution for elder care that integrates AI with under-bed sensing mats to collect essential data on the elderly—ranging from mobility to sleep patterns. This data is analyzed using cloud-based AI technology to proactively address potential health risks. Lin emphasized that caregivers require actionable insights rather than overwhelming amounts of data: "They need direct case suggestions and alerts."

Bringing 3D Technology into Daily Life

The challenges faced by the 3D content industry, including production costs and content scarcity, were addressed by Jye Lin, CEO of Optiqb. His team developed an innovative approach that pairs a screen protector with an AI algorithm, converting 2D smartphone images into 3D without glasses. This technological breakthrough promises diverse applications in entertainment, education, and beyond, illustrating a creative solution to bridge 3D technology into everyday experiences.

Concluding Insights: The Future Landscape of AI

The confluence of indigenous drone technology, healthcare solutions, and affordable 3D technologies highlights a broader truth—technology's value is measured by the real-world problems it resolves. This central theme anchors the discourse around Taiwan's practical AI roadmap, which aims for seamless integration across multiple sectors. Richard Lee's closing remarks encapsulated this vision: the future of AI is not merely about advanced technology but rather about creating ubiquitous capabilities that become as essential as air and water. Taiwan's aim is clear: to realize a future where AI is embedded in everyday experiences everywhere.