Representatives of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) held a dialogue in November with three Taiwanese companies, all from the technology industry, who play a pivotal role in APEC economies. After the meeting, they shared that next year, they will promote more smart solutions and begin to develop an AI framework for the Asia-Pacific region.

Taiwan’s representatives to ABAC are Quanta Computer Inc. Chief Technology Officer Ted Chang, Taiwan Mobile Co. President Jamie Lin, and Acer Inc. Chair and CEO Jason Chen.

The dialogue between APEC economic leaders and ABAC delegates was hosted by Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris.

Jamie Lin, who is representing Taiwan for the seventh time, said APEC was originally intended to promote free trade cooperation, but technology issues have gradually emerged. Following ChatGPT, AI has become a hot topic, and AI has been discussed at every meeting. ABAC 2023 also mentioned that next year it will start to push forward the preparation of the AI-related framework for the Asia-Pacific region, so that "AI can be understood and its security can be ensured".

Jason Chen pointed out that the meeting mainly discussed generative artificial intelligence, how to manage and avoid risks, "almost every CEO mentioned the impact of AI", and it was agreed that all should steer AI in the right direction through public-private cooperation, regulation and guidance. Ted Chang explained that AI involves three elements: data power, computation and algorithms. The computers need a lot of chips, so the supply chain will be a major focus in the future, and the data and chips will be combined to form a new ecosystem.

For example, Chang said AI can be used by a wide range of sectors. Initially, it was demanded by industries with data, and more recently by healthcare as a result of the global pandemic. The use of AI is now being expanded to other areas, and it is expected that more areas with more applications will emerge in the coming year.

AI security also concerns everyone, Chen said, APEC leaders are concerned about AI governance, but this is a complex process, countries have different definitions of security, each country and culture need to be fully discussed before the implementation of AI governance.

However, Chen admitted that he has noticed the divergence of views among the three major economies of the United States, China, and Europe, and is afraid that the impact will affect the development of the global digital economy. What Taiwan can focus on is the accuracy of data and the continued enhancement of the resilience of off-site backup.

Looking ahead, Chen said that as long as the word "smart" is mentioned, whether it is smart city, smart transport, smart healthcare, there must be a role for AI in it, and it can also contribute to climate change and more smart solutions.

Chang said the “DO AI Yourself” programme will be upgraded to version 2.0 to make it more grounded and regionalised, with initial partner countries expected in February 2024, while Peru, the host country of next year's APEC, has been tasked with launching digital innovations that are "people-centric" and use technology to help with staff training.