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III Plus Series Events - III Advocates Digital Trust Governance, Releasing "Generative AI Adoption Guide - Essential AI Literacy for Enterprises".
Date: 2023/08/01
Caption: The Institute for Information Industry (III) held the "Digital Trust Governance Ecology" forum on August 1st, inviting guests from government, industry, academia, and research to explore issues related to digital trust. In the photo, Vice Premier Wen-Tsan Cheng of the Executive Yuan (front row, left 5), Chairman Chih-Kung Lee of III (front row, left 4), and President Cheng-Hung Cho of III (front row, right 5) posed for a photo with representatives from Taiwan VTuber association and various distinguished guests.
Caption: On August 1st , at the "Digital Trust Governance Ecology" forum, Vice Premier Wen-Tsan Cheng of the Executive Yuan (right 1) was invited to experience the technologies showcased by the Institute for Information Industry (III).
In the era of digital technology, whether it's generative AI, personal data, or various public information, the increasing frequency of digital footprints and interactions raises the crucial global issue of balancing digital development and application with the security of the digital environment. In light of this, on August 1st , the Institute for Information Industry (III) unveils the prelude to its "III Plus" series of events with the theme "Digital Trust Governance Ecology." The event invited experts and leaders from various fields, including Vice Premier Wen-Tsan Cheng of the Executive Yuan, to discuss topics such as the establishment of interactive relationships in the digital technology era, adaptation of social norms, and corporate governance responses, exploring the meaning of trust in a digitalized society. The event concurrently showcased III's three major categories of AI research and development achievements (for detailed content, please refer to the attached materials). Additionally, the institute released the "Generative AI Adoption Guide - AI Literacy Required for Enterprises" handbook (download here), offering guidelines for the development and use of generative AI to ensure adherence to standards across various sectors.
In his address, Chairman Chih-Kung Lee of the Institute for Information Industry (III) mentioned that two years ago, the think tank team at III pointed out in their analysis of international trends that every enterprise would become a digital industry in the coming years. One of III's most important research endeavors is to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Taiwan improve day by day. As III celebrates its 44th anniversary this year, Chairman Lee, through this forum, advocates for the importance of information security, transparency, and the societal ethical transformation in the digital technology industry. These aspects are crucial directions for contemplation, aligning with III's role as an industry pilot, urging collaboration across all sectors to co-create a digital ecosystem.
Vice Premier of the Executive Yuan, Wen-Tsan Cheng, also attended and expressed support for this event. He shared that globally and in Taiwan, the digital economy and digital industry are considered the leading industry of the next-generation. As a hardware giant, Taiwan should leverage its position to accelerate the development of the software industry. Vice Premier Cheng pointed out that around 2020, digital construction initiatives were gradually launched, and in the coming decade, new directions for digital development are being proposed. These initiatives signify that digital vitality is significant and challenging for future competitiveness.
Vice Premier Cheng also mentioned the Basic Law for AI in his speech. The legislation of the draft will simultaneously focus on issues such as the development of AI technology, ethical norms for AI, and cybersecurity risks, etc. He expected that this forum held by the Institute for Information Industry (III) and its subsequent proactive initiatives can lay a better foundation for the year 2030. The goal is to promote the digital transformation of industries and society, construct a more inclusive, open, and secure digital nation, and showcase Taiwan's values to the world.
Digital Development Viewed as Double-edged Sword. III Starts from Winning Industry Trust to Co-create a Win-win Situation.
In his opening remarks at the panel discussion, the President of the Institute for Information Industry, Cheng-Hung Cho, stated that according to research institutions' surveys on the Digital Trust Index, for every 5% increase in digital trust, the average per capita GDP increases by $3,000. This indicates that digital trust can bring value to global society and the economy. It serves as a crucial foundation for the journey towards digital transformation.
However, four key elements are required to establish digital trust: transmission security, data quality, risk management, and governance mechanisms. For this reason, the Institute for Information Industry (III) has set in recent years four major focal points to expedite the transformation process, which include assuming the role of a think tank, providing value advocacy; having the foresight to establish research networks, developing macro-level software technologies; offering field validations, promoting digital transformation; developing trust governance, enhancing information security. Cheng-Hung Cho believes that in assisting industries in their transformation, III must first strengthen itself to have the capability to collaborate with industries and co-create mutual success.
Advancing Digital Trust
In the two interactive panel discussions held during the "Digital Trust Governance Ecology" forum, moderated by the two Executive Vice President of the Institute for Information Industry (III), Po-Jen Hsiao and Ren-Dar Yang, the topics delved into "Constructing a Secure, Compliant, and Friendly Digital Infrastructure Environment" and "Building a Reliable, Responsible, and Trusted Digital Industry Ecology." The discussions aimed to explore how to enhance legal frameworks to address the impacts brought about by AI, understand the possibilities of turning adversaries into allies in the context of AI, and allow digital trust to play a guiding role in advancing the overall digital ecosystem.
This forum provided a platform for individuals from various sectors to discuss in depth about the issue of digital trust governance ecosystem. Participants unanimously agreed that trust is the cornerstone driving the development of a digitized society. Taiwan's society possesses a forward-looking and inclusive environment as the foundation, innovative and agile talents, and a robust and healthy supply chain. These factors will provide strong support for the development of Taiwan's digital industry, allowing Taiwan to showcase its unique value on the international stage
In addition, the Institute for Information Industry (III) specially arranged the Best Application Award Winner of "2022 VTuber Hackathon Creation Contest", VTuber KitsuneKon, collaborating with the on-site host to kick off the event in an integrated virtual and real manner. The event also showcased the "PICBOT-AR Smart Photography Robot" provided by Speed 3D Inc. This service employs AI-empowered 3D/AR technology, digital content, and AIoT software and hardware integration services. Currently, it is the top brand of photo interactive machines, designed and developed entirely in Taiwan. At the moment, it has been deployed in major well-known parks and venues across Taiwan, receiving enthusiastic responses. The Institute for Information Industry emphasizes that both the virtual influencer VTuber and the PICBOT-AR Smart Photography Robot are outcomes supported by the Administration for Digital Industries, Ministry of Digital Affairs. The Institute for Information Industry (III) proactively integrates industry resources, talents, and technologies in a third-party role, providing consulting assistance such as validation and service recommendations. III hopes to collaborate with industry partners to create more business opportunities.
【Media Contact】
Center for Marketing Strategy (III)
Joy Yen Tel: (02) 6631-8635 joyyen@iii.org.tw
Ying Shen Tel: (02) 6631-8643 yingshen@iii.org.tw
Lecture and Idea Exchange Summary
Since 2021, the Institute for Information Industry (III) has been advocating for topics such as "Social Digital Transformation," "Data Governance," and "Digital Trust Governance Ecology," aiming to construct an inclusive, open, and secure digital society. In 2023, to attract more attention from businesses and organizations, the Institute for Information Industry (III) has collected expert opinions from various fields including industry, government, academia, and research units. III has invited six prominent guests, including Lucien C.H. Lin, Legal Consultant of the Open Culture Foundation; Isabel I-Hsiu Hou, Secretary-General of Taiwan AI Academy Foundation; Wei-Chung Teng, Vice Dean of the College of Computer Science and Information Engineering at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology; Brian Bo-Yan Shen, Chairman of the Information Service Industry Association of R.O.C; Jane Yung-Jen Hsu, Vice Chair of Taiwan AI Center of Excellence; and Shang-Hong Lai, Associate Dean of the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at National Tsing Hua University. The discussion, moderated by the Institute for Information Industry's two Executive Vice President, Po-Jen Hsiao and Ren-Dar Yang, delved into two major topics: "Constructing a Secure, Compliant, and Friendly Environment with Sound Digital Infrastructure" and "Creating a Reliable, Responsible, and Trusted Digital Industry Ecology."
Constructing a Secure, Compliant, and User-Friendly Environment with Sound Digital Infrastructure, Coexisting with Emerging Technologies by Trust and Learning.
Executive Vice President of the Institute for Information Industry (III), Po-Jen Hsiao, pointed out that while facing the challenges of digital transformation and the application of AI in aspects such as legal regulations, corporate governance, and risk management, the government, businesses, and the public need to work together. These challenges are also considerations for various sectors when promoting the development and application of technology. Looking at aspects such as legal frameworks, technology, talent, and governance, for Taiwan's future development, we see the importance of constructing a society based on mutual trust.
Po-Jen Hsiao emphasized that Taiwan possesses many significant advantages that should not be overlooked. These advantages can create new opportunities for us in the current wave of emerging technologies. The advantages are closely related to Taiwan's society which has a sound legal environment, an excellent talent base, as well as the social values that emphasize agility and inclusiveness. Furthermore, in the post-pandemic era, changes in work patterns have led to changes in talent flows and skill development approaches. In addition to encouraging the younger generation to try out any possible chance continuously, it is essential to create a safe and supportive environment that is adaptive and suitable for the next generation.
The first forum, titled "Directing and Introducing: Constructing a Secure, Compliant, and User-Friendly Environment with Sound Digital Infrastructure," explored the issues associated with environment construction in the digital trust governance ecology. Consultant Lucien C.H. Lin
believes that in recent years, Taiwan has made significant achievements in open movements, whether in open data, open-source software, Creative Commons, and more. The Ministry of Digital Affairs has also proactively revised relevant standards such as the "Dataset Data Interpretation Standard" and opened up "High Application Value Data" to promote related initiatives, expecting to make the overall digital transformation process in our country more friendly. From the perspective of the open movement, it is important to make digital transformation smoother and AI training and application more "robust, friendly, and unbiased." From a legal viewpoint, attention should be given to issues such as the appropriateness for AI output to be protected by neighboring rights, including copyright, etc.
The impact of AI varies across age groups and generations, and in the future, people may witness some structural changes. Secretary-General Isabel I-Hsiu Hou specifically mentioned that certain jobs are disappearing, giving rise to a computerized shift in work patterns, with the emergence of new startups and freelancers. Furthermore, AI has different impacts on various age groups, including immigrants and the AI-native generation. With variations in learning costs, people in different regions experience the impacts in a variety of ways. Factors such as occupational types, costs, regulatory frameworks, cultural differences, and the varying degrees of AI technology introduction are all aspects worthy of attention.
Vice Dean Wei-Chung Teng stated that it is anticipated that within the next five years, there will be a proliferation of AI technologies transitioning into mature, productized applications. The transformational impact of AI over the next decade is expected to be concentrated mainly on the industrial front. However, in the more distant future, the development of Artificial General Intelligence will be the key to understanding how AI will fundamentally alter the overall functioning of human society. Its influence may be comparable to the advent of the Internet and smartphones. At that time, the extent to which it will impact human society will be a critical consideration that requires early preparation and careful assessment.
Positioning AI: Turning Adversaries into Allies
Building a Reliable, Responsible, and Trustworthy Digital Industry Ecology.
Ren-Dar Yang, Executive Vice President of the Institute for Information Industry (III), believes that in the face of the rapidly changing world, cross-disciplinary collaboration in technology innovation and digital transformation is a key driving force for future industrial growth. With years of experience in the software service industry, the Institute for Information Industry plays the role of a third-party organization, working alongside various sectors including industry, government, academia, and research, as well as units from both the supply and demand side. Grounded in technology research and development, with industry services as the core, the III aims to build ecosystems in different domains.
Yang Jen-Da emphasized that in the process of forming ecosystems, it has been recognized that solely relying on the coordination by the Institute for Information Industry is far from enough. During this period, it is essential for suppliers to have the capability to provide reliable products and responsible services, and for the demand side to be willing to establish a domain of mutual trust and creative commons. Only with these conditions can the opportunities arise to form favorable ecosystems, helping Taiwan be able to collaborate with units from the international community.
The second forum, titled "Leading and Guiding: Building a Reliable, Responsible, and Trustworthy Digital Industry Ecology," explored the research and application issues that various units in academia, industry, and research have to face in the era of AI. Chairman Brian Bo-Yan Shen, expressed that Generative AI brings individuals closer to knowledge, but the question of information accuracy is also worthy of attention.
The issue of how to make AI a force for good includes topics such as constructing a people-centric and trustworthy AI governance system, rapidly constructing AI service ecosystems through API collaborative models, promoting diverse applications in various fields, making "AI+N" an essential task for industrial innovation, facilitating the integrated applications of hardware and software, and nurturing interdisciplinary AI talents. All of these are the issues that are in need of attention in the next steps.
Vice Chair Jane Yung-Jen Hsu stated that AI should serve as an aid to humanity, reducing the time spent on highly repetitive tasks and lowering error rates. It is a technology that assists human beings in solving complex problems. There is no need to fear machines replacing humans; instead, the focus should be on learning to collaborate with machines and becoming talents who know how to leverage AI. In the future, the government aims to create people-centric AI, develop trustworthy generative AI engines, align with international standards and values in terms of research and technology, talent, and governance. This involves establishing a cross-ministerial cooperation platform with interfaces easily accessible to professional communities, and collectively expanding Taiwan's international influence in the field of AI.
Associate Dean Shang-Hong Lai pointed out the technological ethics involved in the application of AI and emphasized the importance of formulating appropriate laws to regulate the development and use of AI. Shang-Hong Lai believes that moving forward, it is crucial to gather collective wisdom to establish comprehensive legal and ethical standards to guide the development of artificial intelligence technology toward the correct and beneficial direction. Participants at the event unanimously agreed that Taiwan has the capability and opportunity to co-create digital industry ecosystems and that Taiwan holds the key to create the win-win situation for talent interdisciplinary collaboration.