The Best AI Awards competition organized by the Ministry of Economic Affairs opened for applications Feb. 26, highlighting government work to accelerate artificial intelligence personnel cultivation, stimulate innovative applications and shape Taiwan into an AI hub.
According to the MOEA, the competition is divided into AI application and IC design categories for groups of students; startups and small- and medium-sized businesses; enterprises, and international participants without ROC (Taiwan) citizenship. The top prize is NT$300,000 (US$9,145) for the student group and NT$1 million for the others, the ministry said, adding that the application deadline is April 8, while the final round of the competition and the award presentation ceremony will be held May 3.
The event aims to boost the creativity of the younger generation and strengthen cooperation between academics and businesses, the MOEA said. It serves as a platform for promoting innovative AI technology applications and for attracting top global professionals to come to Taiwan, the ministry noted, adding that it expects to accelerate such development in Taiwan and to create a more competitive AI industry ecosystem.
During a press conference announcing the opening of applications, MOEA Minister Kuo Jyh-huei said that Taiwan’s chip and server manufacturing capacity ranks first in the world, and the country’s AI software application ranking has improved to 21st this year and is expected to enter the top 14 in the world by the end of this year. To ensure that Taiwan has sufficient AI professionals, the MOEA has launched a series of measures to create a better environment for AI innovation, he said, citing the ministry’s plan to cultivate 200,000 AI personnel within four years for all sectors, among other measures, he added.
The MOEA concluded by saying that the ministry will continue to deepen collaboration with academics and enterprises, as well as support AI personnel cultivation, industrial cooperation and international connections through its policies. It is committed to creating a comprehensive AI ecosystem to secure Taiwan’s leading position in the global AI contest, the ministry added. (YCH-E)
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