Chang Jing-Wen Column: Building Engines for the World — Does Taiwan Have Its Own Tracks? Why 'Sovereign AI' Is an Unstoppable Economic Locomotive

When we talk about 'sovereign AI,' limiting the discussion to 'national defense' or 'cybersecurity lockdown' is too narrow. We must look beyond technical jargon and reframe the issue through the broader lenses of 'economic development' and 'social contract': sovereign AI is, at its core, a battle for economic sovereignty to sustain social stability and prosperity.

The Ultimate Goal of Sovereignty: Economic Prosperity and Social Stability

Political theory often states that sovereignty defines the nation, territory, and military. But let’s ask a more fundamental question: Why do humans need nations and governments?

Because without shared consensus and governance, society descends into chaos. Confucian thought in Chinese history endured for millennia because it emphasized 'social stability.' Tokugawa Ieyasu is revered in Japan because he ended centuries of war and provided a stable environment for development.

Only with social stability can the economy grow. Only with economic growth can people live well, raise families, and access education. Thus, behind sovereignty lies the economy, and the ultimate goal of the economy is to allow every individual—born into inequality—to live securely and prosperously within society.

In the 21st century, as 'data' and 'AI' become new factors of production, a nation that loses AI sovereignty effectively loses control over its economic stability.

From Railroads in the 19th Century to Large Models in the 21st: AI as the Modern Locomotive of Keynesian Economics

Viewed through a historical lens, sovereign AI truly signifies empowering citizens across all industries with efficient digital tools to maintain national economic competitiveness.

This recalls 1930s America. Amid the Great Depression, why did the U.S. rush to build the Empire State Building and aggressively construct nationwide railroads and highways?

Because only through large-scale public infrastructure could the gears of society begin turning again. This aligns perfectly with the theory of macroeconomic pioneer John Maynard Keynes: when the economy slumps, government-led public investment and resource circulation serve as the original engine driving national economic recovery.

'The 19th century built railroads, the 20th century built highways, the 21st century builds large models.'

Large models and AI Agents (intelligent agents) have become indispensable public infrastructure in modern society. Whether in finance, content creation, or public administration, when every citizen is equipped with a personal 'digital twin,' society’s productivity will explode across generations. This locomotive is already accelerating wildly. Societies that master AI infrastructure will advance economically at multiples of the speed of others.

Taiwan’s Concern: The Locomotive Is Moving—But Where Are Our Tracks?

This is the harsh reality Taiwan must confront. In this AI wave, Taiwan appears to be reaping benefits. But we must honestly ask: Is Taiwan merely manufacturing the core chips and components for American tech giants to power their economic locomotive?

The U.S. is using hardware made by TSMC to aggressively advance its AI infrastructure, creating countless thinking commercial agents ready for global export. Yet, if Taiwan’s domestic sectors—government, finance, healthcare, traditional industries—fail to build efficient applications on our own 'sovereign large models,' our internal economic engine will stall.

While citizens in other countries double their productivity and race ahead in economic efficiency thanks to national AI empowerment, if Taiwan remains satisfied as an 'island that sells parts for others’ locomotives,' where are our own tracks?

Without our own sovereign AI as the track, we risk falling into a 'digital concession'—our industries facing chronic marginalization in the future. This is no exaggeration.

Beyond Being a Hardware Manufacturing Giant

Securing AI sovereignty is not about building technological protectionist walls. It is about ensuring Taiwan retains its own economic locomotive in the silicon age.

We cannot be giants in hardware manufacturing while becoming digital colonies in software and intelligence. By building Taiwan’s own sovereign AI and establishing our own digital tracks, we can ensure that the next generation remains competitive and capable of thriving on this island, even amid the tsunami of automation.