Taiwan stands at a pivotal moment in the AI revolution. Having established itself as a leader in AI hardware manufacturing, Taiwan will also have a chance to lead in the next wave of AI applications across diverse industries, according to Matthew Miau, chairman of MiTAC-Synnex Group.
Miau shared these remarks during his acceptance speech at the K.T. Li Award ceremony on October 28, hosted by the K.T. Li Foundation for Development of Science and Technology. This year, Miau and Delta Electronics chairman Bruce Cheng received the prestigious award, following last year's inaugural honoree, TSMC founder Morris Chang.
Miau, Taiwan's first LSI design engineer, returned in 1976 to join the country's "Ten Major Construction Projects," focusing on petrochemicals. He also pioneered the development of Taiwan's information industry, introducing Intel microprocessors and creating the world's first Chinese-language commercial terminal and a simplified input method. Under Miau's leadership, MiTAC expanded across industries—spanning R&D, 3C channels, system integration, petrochemicals, and food innovation—achieving significant global reach.
During the ceremony, Miau highlighted Taiwan's tech ecosystem, noting that while TSMC is often called Taiwan's "guardian mountain," many other companies have played indispensable roles. He credited K.T. Li's foundational support for Taiwan's tech development, sharing that Li, as Minister without Portfolio, personally rallied businesses to invest in TSMC during its early days and frequently held meetings to address the industry's challenges.
Recalling the era's obstacles, Miau described one persistent challenge: moving telex machines required approval from numerous government agencies, including the Garrison General Headquarters and telecommunications authorities, leading to an overly complex process that was eventually abolished. MiTAC-Synnex was also involved from the outset in Taiwan's "Technology Island" initiative proposed by Li, which promoted key sectors like energy, materials, information, and automation.
Reflecting on MiTAC's contributions, Miau described several milestones. The introduction of Intel microprocessors enabled Taiwan's engineers to develop both hardware and software, automating industries like aquaculture and warehousing. MiTAC also developed the first Chinese-language computer for government use, spurring public sector automation. Later, MiTAC-Synnex joined TSMC and UMC in creating a high-purity gas company to support Hsinchu Science Park, breaking regulatory barriers with K.T. Li's support.
On the company's 50th anniversary, Miau underscored that without K.T. Li's vision and advocacy, Taiwan's technology industry would have been years behind. He expressed deep gratitude for Li's foresight, which allowed Taiwan to build a robust tech foundation, achieving remarkable global visibility today.
