TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Palmer Luckey, founder of leading US defense company Anduril Industries, said Monday that Taiwan’s technological talent, along with its capabilities in semiconductor and electronic equipment, will strengthen the nation.

Luckey gave a speech on the topic "Deterrence, Technology & Defending Taiwan" at National Taiwan University. He emphasized Taiwan’s critical role in global democratic defense and called on the nation’s tech talent to focus on defense innovation to build a defense force with independent technology and industrial strength.

Luckey pointed out that some US tech companies ignore defense issues, with many turning to the Chinese market for short-term business gains and neglecting the security foundation that free societies depend on.

“Taiwan’s long-standing leadership in semiconductors, electronics, and advanced manufacturing provides the best foundation for building a technology-driven defense industry,” Luckey said. He noted the country has talent, capital, and government support, giving it an advantage in developing an autonomous defense system.

Luckey also used the Russia-Ukraine war as an example of how innovative technologies such as small drones and AI guidance systems can transform the battlefield. He said that Ukraine’s ability to resist Russia is a result of the “fast, smart, and effective use of technology.”

Luckey noted that the Chinese Communist Party is expanding its military power, including building the world’s largest navy, deploying thousands of hypersonic missiles, and conducting military exercises and airspace incursions targeting Taiwan. He warned that “the military ambitions of Xi Jinping are not mere slogans but real policies that pose a direct threat to Taiwan.”

He emphasized that Taiwan’s future depends not only on politics and diplomacy but also on its ability to launch a “national defense technology renaissance.” He urged tech professionals to step into the defense sector and apply their expertise in areas such as AI, robotics, autonomous systems, and missile technology to protect the nation.

Luckey said that Anduril has established an office in Taiwan and is recruiting local talent in engineering and supply chain roles. He noted the company previously supported Australia’s autonomous submarine program and hopes for similar unmanned system collaboration in Taiwan. 

“We are confident in Taiwan’s strengths in electronics, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing, and we hope to help translate these capabilities into the defense industry,” Luckey said.

Luckey also highlighted Anduril’s business model, which focuses on independent development and self-funding, differing from traditional defense contractors that rely heavily on government contracts. He said the company delivers products to customers only after they are fully developed. This approach helps accelerate innovation and reduce costs.

In addition, Luckey acknowledged the ethical debates surrounding AI-powered weapons, arguing that the real choice on the battlefield is not between AI-driven weapons and traditional ones, but between “smart weapons and dumb ones.” “If a weapon can distinguish between a schoolchild and a tank, then it is more ethical than one with no ability to make such distinctions,” he said.

Luckey also shared his journey, starting university at 15 and dropping out at 19 to start a business after a breakthrough in virtual reality technology. He advised: “If you don’t have an exceptional opportunity that you must seize immediately, don’t drop out. But if you do, don’t let it slip away.”

In July, Anduril signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Chung Shan Institute of Science and Technology. The cooperation is expected to focus on Anduril's Lattice, an open AI-powered command and control platform, and the development of new unmanned vehicles.

Founded in 2017, Anduril is dedicated to enhancing defense capabilities through the use of AI, autonomous systems, drones, sensors, and software platforms. The company has provided technological support in the war in Ukraine and is expanding cooperation with democratic partners in Asia, including Taiwan.