Chi-Huey Wong, president of the Institute for Biotechnology and Medicine Industry (IBMI), emphasized that the application of artificial intelligence (AI) across industries presents a significant opportunity for Taiwan. He noted that while Taiwan’s technology sector has historically led the world in hardware, the proliferation of AI software development marks a shift to software-driven global competitiveness. By leveraging Taiwan’s strengths in semiconductor chips and computational power and integrating resources across various fields, Taiwan’s advancements in software can position it as a standout in the AI era.
AI in Healthcare: Efficiency and Global Connectivity
Wong highlighted that AI applications improve efficiency, streamline processes, and, most notably, enhance healthcare management systems. These advancements also facilitate stronger international collaborations.
Over the past 20 years, Taiwan has made strides in AI development, with companies like Quanta investing early in hardware solutions. However, the rise of software capabilities has been rapid. At this year’s Healthcare+ Expo Taiwan, AI applications dominated nearly every corner, predominantly in software solutions. Although the transformational power of software may not always be immediately visible, its impact becomes apparent through hands-on use. Wong stressed that these environmental shifts will bring a surge of talent and unprecedented business opportunities to the healthcare industry as AI-driven products come to fruition.
AI Accelerates Global Industrial Transformation
With the accelerated development of AI in recent years, industries worldwide are entering a new phase of transformation. Taiwan, as the world’s largest supplier of chips and hardware, also holds invaluable assets in computational capabilities and extensive human health databases. Furthermore, government-backed initiatives are driving AI applications across industries, with the healthcare and biotechnology sectors witnessing the fastest growth.
Unparalleled Healthcare Resources in Taiwan
Wong pointed out that Taiwan leads globally in healthcare indices and boasts the most comprehensive National Health Insurance (NHI) database, alongside newly established biobanks. Combining AI with the analysis of these vast medical datasets could lead to the development of more comprehensive, precise, and efficient early prevention and detection solutions.
This year’s Healthcare+ Expo also showcased AI-driven solutions for traditional Chinese medicine, including pulse diagnosis tools and innovations in herbal medicine development. These advancements highlight Taiwan’s healthcare industry entering a new era of growth and opportunity, underscoring its ability to lead in the global AI revolution.
Resource: 生策會會長翁啟惠：AI應用是台灣的機會
