TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is helping small and medium enterprises catch up in the artificial intelligence and 5G race, training thousands of professionals and rolling out digital tools nationwide.
This year, the government trained 4,100 AI professionals and supported 2,500 companies in using AI tools. It also guided 8,700 SMEs in deploying 5G applications across manufacturing, marketing, and service operations, generating over NT$2.37 billion (US$75.4 million) in industrial benefits, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said Wednesday.
Taiwan’s high-tech research and manufacturing strengths are widely recognized. However, resource-limited SMEs often lack access to practical digital tools.
Company size plays a key role in AI adoption. A McKinsey survey in mid-2025 of nearly 2,000 business leaders across 105 countries found that nearly half of large enterprises with annual revenues above NT$157 billion have reached the AI scaling stage, compared with just 29% of smaller firms with revenues under NT$3 billion, according to Sinotrade.
To address this gap, the government launched a digital learning platform offering industry case studies, diagnostics, and expert consultations. It also introduced an application guidance platform that consolidates over 200 AI tools.
Additionally, the Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration, in collaboration with industry associations and research institutes, has developed 14 sector-specific AI training modules. These modules cover industries such as garment manufacturing, metal processing, food services, electronic components, and online retail.
Beyond AI, the government is helping SMEs adopt 5G solutions. On-site support has enabled companies to deploy fast, stable connections crucial for real-time decision-making, quality control, and reliable data transmission, according to DigiKnow.
The same McKinsey survey found that 88% of companies regularly use AI in at least one business function, up from 78% last year. However, only 6% of respondents reported achieving “high-performance” results.
