The emergence of generative AI (GenAI) technologies like ChatGPT and DeepSeek is expected to drive growth in Taiwan's information service software and cybersecurity industries. The Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) projects that Taiwan's digital economy could potentially become a new trillion-dollar industry in 2026.
In contrast to Taiwan's hardware manufacturers, which often report annual revenues in the hundreds of billions or even trillions of New Taiwan Dollars, the scale of Taiwan's computer and information services sector remains relatively small. In the third quarter of 2024, revenue reached NT$148.2 billion (US$4.5 billion), marking a record high for the same period, with a 6% increase compared to the same period last year. The computer programming industry contributed NT$106.7 billion, up 3.8% compared to the same period last year, primarily benefiting from increased demand for system integration and software hardware design services. Meanwhile, the information services sector reported NT$41.5 billion, reflecting a 12% increase compared to the same period last year, driven by the expansion of online gaming platforms, cloud data hosting, and processing services.
According to MODA, the government should guide the industry to harness future growth drivers, aiming to establish the digital economy as a new trillion-dollar sector. This will be achieved through key strategies including popularizing AI technology applications, enhancing industrial cybersecurity and personal data protection, building a robust software foundation, and expanding international exports. These efforts are intended to strengthen support and investment in the digital industry, with hopes that AI, cybersecurity, and software will emerge as new trillion-dollar sectors in 2026.
The expansion of Taiwan's computer programming and information services industries correlates with the advent of the AI era, where businesses actively implement business intelligence, sales forecasting, marketing push notifications, optimization of product distribution efficiency and service quality, and improvement of consumer willingness and overall revenue.
An increasing number of business service providers are leveraging customized smart technologies and AI tools to collect, analyze, and share effective operational data. These tools help manage product inventory, sales, consumer demands, preferences, and market trends. They significantly benefit retailers in stock replenishment forecasting, process improvement, and precise marketing. General-purpose cloud solutions like cloud-based inventory management and customer relationship management have also become increasingly popular. Such demands enable information service providers to boost performance and expand revenue scales.
To achieve trillion-dollar status for Taiwan's AI, cybersecurity, and software industries, nurturing relevant talent has become increasingly urgent. According to reports, nearly 30% of non-communication major students at Taiwanese universities are enrolled in micro-courses related to digital technology for 2024. The government is encouraging higher education institutions to expand enrollment quotas in communication and AI-related fields to meet industry development needs. Additionally, credit programs on AI exploration applications, AI industrial applications, AI natural language technology, and AI visual technology have been introduced for high school students for the first time.