TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan plans to beef up its artificial intelligence capabilities by investing approximately US$3 billion (NT$97.75 billion) in AI data centers and other projects over the next three years, Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council Minister Wu Cheng-wen (吳誠文) said in a recent interview with Nikkei Asia.

"AI sovereignty is a critical issue," Wu said. "Taiwan's government plans to ramp up our own AI data center infrastructure and significantly increase our own computing capability." The plan comes as Lai Ching-te (賴清德) wants Taiwan to diversify its economy by reducing economic dependence on China and through new trade agreements.

The minister said Taiwan aims to raise its collective capability from 20 petaflops this year to 480 petaflops over the next four years, per Nikkei Asia. Petaflops are a unit of measurement for a computer's calculating speed.

"Although our country does not have many formal diplomatic partners, Taiwan can secure more friendly cooperation and better relations with countries in the democratic camp through technology," Wu said. "This benefits Taiwan's security," he added.

Wu said he looked forward to working with the US once Trump takes office. "The large US domestic market gives it strong control over technology and positions it as the (democratic) alliance leader. The Taiwanese government and the US work very closely together."

The minister said the government is not worried about TSMC’s global expansion weakening the nation’s strategic importance, given that regulations keep the most advanced chip technology in Taiwan.