Ko Ju-Chun, the convening committee member, stated that following public hearings and inquiries, and after gathering opinions from industry, government, and academia, the draft will undergo substantive discussion on key articles. These include the assignment of responsibility for the competent authority, data governance, and open mechanisms. Ko expressed hope for concrete progress based on a high degree of consensus among the three major parties, aiming to anchor Taiwan's technological future for the next 40 years.
As the global wave of AI legalization unfolds, the legislative progress of Taiwan's AI Basic Law is being closely monitored. While the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) initially led the drafting process and published draft articles in the second half of last year, the Executive Yuan instructed the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) to take the lead in February of this year. The draft is currently under review by the Executive Yuan. However, legislators from both ruling and opposition parties have successively proposed more than 10 versions of the draft. The Transportation Committee of the Legislative Yuan recently voted to transfer all AI-related bills to the Education and Culture Committee for review.
The Education and Culture Committee is set to review the "Artificial Intelligence Basic Law Draft" again on June 11 and 12. Ko Ju-Chun, the Kuomintang (KMT) convener, stated that the AI Basic Law was listed as a "top priority bill" by the KMT at the beginning of the session. Having passed through public hearings and inquiries, and incorporating opinions from government departments, experts, scholars, and private industry representatives, the bill is finally entering the stage of substantive article-by-article review. This symbolises a significant first step for Taiwan in the era of AI governance.
Ko Ju-Chun pointed out that in this era of global AI governance, the Legislative Yuan has consolidated a high degree of cross-party consensus. The Blue (KMT), Green (DPP), and White (TPP) parties have all submitted proposed versions for review, demonstrating the parliament's high degree of foresight and sense of mission in leading national technological development. He expects the AI Basic Law to advance under this strong tripartite consensus, demonstrating the Legislative Yuan's determination to assume responsibility for national technology governance.
Ko Ju-Chun further analyzed that the core spirit of the AI Basic Law lies in "open innovation, digital equity, technological sovereignty, and international alignment." Once article-by-article discussions begin, the focus is expected to be on key articles such as whether the competent authority should be the Ministry of Digital Affairs or the National Science and Technology Council, data governance and open mechanisms, and the transparency and traceability of training data. He intends to continue building consensus to lay an essential foundation for Taiwan's technological development over the next 40 years.
"We also have versions suggesting that the Executive Yuan could establish a higher-level AI Strategy Committee, convening representatives from industry, academia, and research institutes; this level of authority would be sufficient," said Ko Ju-Chun. "Therefore, there will be discussions regarding the competent authority. Regarding data openness and digital equity, each legislator's bill has distinct features, but there is a consensus: everyone hopes that Taiwan's AI industry can have a fundamental direction for development."
Regarding whether there will be a push to complete the initial review of the AI Basic Law soon or pass the third reading before the session adjourns at the end of July, Ko Ju-Chun said he would not set a specific timetable for passage. However, he is determined to launch Taiwan's first special AI law at the best possible timing. He also called on the Executive Yuan to adopt an active attitude and submit a counter-proposal as soon as possible. Only then can a model of AI governance and digital sovereignty for Taiwan be established, realising the goals of "Sovereign AI" and an "AI Cabinet" championed by the Lai administration.
Original link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news/view/id/2252460
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