With the rapid development of global digitalization, cross-border data exchange has become a key factor in enhancing international cooperation, promoting economic development, and addressing global challenges. A well-established data exchange mechanism will greatly facilitate the transnational development of Taiwan's software industry. Through trusted data exchanges between the public and private sectors, innovation can be accelerated, and the demand for massive training data in generative AI can be fulfilled.
On October 9th, Cheng Hung Cho, President of the Institute for Information Industry (III), and Noriaki Okui, Representative Director of the Data Society Alliance (DSA) of Japan, officially signed a memorandum of cooperation. The two parties will jointly develop digital trust infrastructure and establish a secure, privacy-protecting, and compliant Taiwan-Japan international data exchange mechanism. The system will enable companies in Taiwan and Japan to share data, analyze market trends more efficiently, and significantly enhance product and service quality, which encourages more multinational enterprises to enter the market.
The DSA places great emphasis on the application and development of the data society and has long engaged in cross-border data exchanges with industries, governments, and academia worldwide. Noriaki Okui, the Representative Director of DSA, expressed his honor in collaborating with the III. In the future, both parties will work together to promote cooperation in cross-border data exchange and technological innovation between Taiwan and Japan. In addition to inviting the III to participate in the International Open Forum on Data Society (IOFDS) for international data research, the DSA will also increase international activities between Taiwan and Japan, facilitate team idea exchanges, and jointly develop a Taiwan-Japan international data exchange mechanism.
When companies engage in cross-border data exchanges, they not only face legal and regulatory differences, but also issues related to data privacy and security, as well as the challenge of integrating different systems. These challenges can lead to data corruption or errors during transmission, which can further impact business operations and decision-making efficiency. Cheng-Hung Cho, President of the III, also mentioned that the III has long been committed to developing a secure and trustworthy digital ecosystem. Through this collaboration with the DSA, a solid foundation will be laid for Taiwan's future development in data sharing and digital trust infrastructure, further advancing the progress of smart cities and digital transformation. The partnership is not only a technical collaboration but also a convergence of visions, with the aim of jointly creating a safer and more trustworthy Taiwan-Japan data-sharing ecosystem.
I-Heng Meng, Senior Vice President and Director General of III Software Technology Institute, further explained that the collaboration with the DSA will open the door to cross-border data applications between Taiwan and Japan. In the future, III will work together with the Organization for Data-driven Application (ODA) to bring in the strength of industrial alliances for promoting exchanges and connections between businesses from both Taiwan and Japan, thereby enhancing the international competitiveness of domestic industries. The results of the cooperation with DSA will be publicly announced during the Software Technology Institute's Tech Day in November. Additionally, plans for a proof of concept (PoC) cross-border pilot project will be implemented to strengthen the cross-border flow of industrial data, driving Taiwan’s digital economy forward.