The Ministry of Digital Affairs and the Netherlands-based Freedom Online Coalition jointly hosted a discussion on promoting trust in the age of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies Aug. 23 in Taipei City.
Attended by representatives of nonprofit organizations, officials, academics and experts from around Taiwan and the world, the event focused on ways to advance trustworthy technology and human rights, while elaborating on Taiwan’s AI policies and work to promote emerging technologies and internet freedom.
Eric Juang, director-general of the MODA’s Department of Democracy Network, said during his opening remarks that trust is key to ensuring the effective and safe use of AI technologies, adding that it is also crucial to building a secure, fair and inclusive digital world for all future users. Luca Kuiper, FOC’s representative at the panel, pointed out that the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act can serve as a reference for other countries that wish to advance a human rights-based approach to AI and internet governance.
The FOC was established in the Hague in 2011, and Taiwan joined last year, the MODA said, adding that the country will continue to participate in the coalition’s work and bring Taiwan’s digital governance regulations into alignment with international standards while jointly working with democracies to promote a global democratic supply chain.
Following the symposium, MODA Minister Huang Yen-nun reiterated the ministry’s determination to boost national digital transformation by promoting anti-fraud measures and reinforcing digital resilience at a news conference Aug. 27 in Taipei. He added that the ministry has worked in concert with the Executive Yuan to advocate for amendments to anti-fraud regulations and is planning to launch a relevant inquiry and report network.
The minister also elaborated on a MODA initiative to develop the digital economy by increasing investment in AI startups and shared that it was approved by the EY’s National Development Fund earlier this month. A total of NT$10 billion (US$313 million) is to be allocated to the program and the ministry expects to welcome investment applications starting next year, Huang said. (YCH-E)
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