Taipei: Taiwan has an "absolute advantage" in semiconductors that it should leverage to build its own quantum computing ecosystem and cultivate local talent, an Academia Sinica fellow said Tuesday. Chen Chii-dong, a distinguished research fellow at Academia Sinica's Research Center for Critical Issues and executive officer at the center's thematic center for quantum computing, emphasized the potential of developing a homegrown quantum computer to stimulate advances in related hardware and control software.

According to Focus Taiwan, Chen noted Taiwan's strength in semiconductor manufacturing could be harnessed to establish dedicated production processes and testing platforms, as chips are crucial to quantum computing performance. He also highlighted the importance of education and the time needed for talent cultivation, stating that Taiwan currently welcomes talents from physics, information science, electrical engineering, and electronics to enter the quantum domain.

Also on Tuesday, Jeff Lin, general director of the partially government-funded Industrial Technology Research Institute's Industry, Science and Technology International Strategy Center, proposed several strategies to boost Taiwan's quantum industry ecosystem. Lin suggested leveraging Taiwan's advantages in its semiconductor and ICT industries, targeting core technologies, and integrating them with artificial intelligence applications to create an innovative chain from research and development to market implementation.

Lin further proposed establishing a strategic research and supply chain partnership with developed countries such as the United States, Europe, and Japan, as well as boosting industry-academia-research collaborations. For quantum technology governance, Taiwan should construct a comprehensive framework covering risk assessment, data sovereignty, and ethics principles.

Regarding talent management, Lin advised strengthening legal and education systems to cultivate cross-disciplinary talent. He also recommended setting up a quantum research and verification platform that integrates innovation funds and resources to expedite commercialization and foster an ecosystem of start-up incubation and innovation investment to transform research efforts into industrial energy.

Lin remarked that quantum technology has become the new strategic frontier following AI, noting that 30 countries have already incorporated the field into their national development plans. Taiwan's strengths in semiconductors, medical technology, energy, automation, and ICT provide a solid foundation for transforming quantum opportunities into practical advances.