Taiwan’s economic ministry to launch AI talent training program

台灣經濟部將啟動人工智慧（AI）人才培育計劃

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Economic Affairs announced that the first phase of this year’s AI talent training program will begin in August, aiming to cultivate 152 professionals to help businesses adopt AI technologies.

Industrial Development Administration Director-General Chiu Chiu-hui (邱求慧) said over 60 domestic and international companies — including Microsoft Taiwan, ASE Group, and Acer — will provide instructors and internship opportunities, per CNA. Trainees will be drawn from National Taipei University, National Taipei University of Technology, National Formosa University, and National Cheng Kung University.

The one-year program includes four months of theoretical and industry trend coursework, four months of practical application training, and four months of corporate internships. Graduates must commit to working at one of the participating companies for at least two years.

Trainees will receive a monthly stipend of NT$20,000 (US$673) during training, increasing to NT$30,000 during the internship phase.

Chiu said some Taiwanese companies are facing an AI talent shortage. To address this, the ministry trained about 70,000 AI professionals last year, with this year’s target set at over 50,000. The long-term goal is to develop 200,000 specialists within four years.

The ministry has allocated NT$50 million for the first phase of the 2025 program and plans to invite more companies to co-invest as participation grows.

Registration for the second phase closes in September, with training open to universities and research institutions across Taiwan. Classes are scheduled to begin in October.

Lee Shu-hsia (李叔霞), vice president of human resources at ASE Group, said AI applications now extend beyond manufacturing to areas such as procurement, HR, and management. Danny Chen (陳守正), general manager of the public business group at Microsoft Taiwan, said many companies are undergoing digital transformation and the initiative will support recruitment efforts.