To strengthen Taiwan’s capabilities in artificial intelligence (AI) and critical cybersecurity technologies, the Institute for Information Industry (III), in partnership with the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST), formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the 27th. The collaboration will draw upon III’s deep expertise in AI applications, systems integration, and field validation, alongside NCSIST’s well-established strengths in the research and development of indigenous defense systems, aerospace and unmanned vehicle technologies, as well as cybersecurity and defense-related information security. Together, the two parties aim to develop a technology development platform that aligns technological innovation with national strategic priorities, thereby enhancing both industrial competitiveness and national defense resilience.
The signing ceremony was co-officiated by NCSIST President Shih-Chiang Li and III Chairman Johnny Huang. The event was attended and witnessed by Minister Cheng-Wen Wu of the National Science and Technology Council and Chairman Tsung-Tsong Wu of the Industrial Technology Research Institute, thereby underscoring the strong commitment and support across government, research institutions, and industry stakeholders.
The partnership will focus on six key areas: ICT software development; computer vision and image processing; AI governance and evaluation; cybersecurity environments and security testing; the advancement and knowledge distillation of TAIDE (Trustworthy AI Dialogue Engine); and the further development and certification of AI technologies. Through this collaboration, both parties aim to strengthen the resilience of information and communication systems and achieve high software engineering quality, while promoting system architectures that are secure, reliable, and scalable. In addition, by integrating AI algorithms with real-world applications, the collaboration seeks to develop AI governance and validation mechanisms that are robust, transparent, and empirically verifiable, in line with evolving international AI regulations and ethical standards. The initiative will also further strengthen talent development and the technological foundations for AI in the defense sector.
III Chairman Johnny Huang stated that III has long served as a “bridge between scientific research and industry.” Moving forward, III will closely coordinate with the National Science and Technology Council, NCSIST, and the Industrial Technology Research Institute, with clearly delineated roles and responsibilities. In the field of defense technologies such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the partnership will pursue the comprehensive integration of AI technologies, cybersecurity governance, and the practical deployment of defense industry applications, thereby fostering a sustainable and scalable innovation ecosystem for defense research and development.
NCSIST President Shih-Chiang Li further noted that this MOU is of landmark significance for Taiwan’s research ecosystem in advancing trustworthy AI governance, cybersecurity autonomy, and industrial upgrading. Key development priorities will center on UAV application requirements, with progress pursued across several strategic dimensions, including “indigenous core technologies,” “AI edge computing and autonomous flight,” “communication resilience and multi-domain integration,” and “modular procurement and practical peacetime-to-wartime adaptability.” These efforts aim to lay a foundation for defense systems that are intelligent, resilient, and aligned with non-red supply chain requirements.
III emphasized that the core objective of promoting AI and cybersecurity development is to address societal needs and to proactively support national digital development strategies. Through collaboration with NCSIST, III seeks to convert research capabilities into operationally deployable and empirically verifiable systems and services, thereby enhancing the security of national defense and critical infrastructure, and mitigating the societal impact of cybersecurity threats. By aligning public benefit with industrial advancement, III aims to foster the sustainable development of industry and talent ecosystems, thereby contributing to a more resilient and secure digital future for Taiwan.