Show Notes
Introducing Taiwan Frontlines: Taiwan in the Global Arena — a limited series GMF podcast hosted by Bonnie Glaser & Jason Hsu in partnership with NOWNews.
More from Taiwan Frontlines: Taiwan in the Global Arena
Today we turn to the story behind one of Taiwan’s greatest achievements—and one of the most consequential industries in the world: semiconductors.
Taiwan sits at the heart of the global AI and advanced computing supply chain and is home to world-leading companies such as ASUS, TSMC, and UMC. At the same time, it is on the front lines of the PRC's relentless cyber and information campaigns, with some days launching as many as 2.4 million attacks. How Taiwan harnesses the governance of artificial intelligence while protecting its critical infrastructure offers a glimpse into the challenges that every open society will soon face. Today we're joined by Isabel Hou, Political Deputy Minister at Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs, and one of the principal architects of Taiwan’s AI governance framework.
Drones are at the center of the global defense conversation — and nowhere is that more strategically consequential than Taiwan. Lai Ching-te’s administration has made drone production a national priority, committing roughly $3 billion USD to building out a domestic ecosystem, with more investment expected. Taiwan understands that resilient, non-red supply chains and scalable autonomous systems are essential to deterrence.
Today’s conversation is about power, risk, and decision-making in a world where technology, geopolitics, and security are colliding faster than our institutions were designed to hand. Questions surrounding China, Taiwan, artificial intelligence, and national security are no longer abstract or academic. They shape real choices—often made under pressure, with imperfect information, and with long-term consequences.
AI has rapidly become a central arena of global competition, shaping everything from national security and economic power to information ecosystems and democratic resilience. The race for AI leadership now spans energy infrastructure, semiconductor supply chains, global talent, and strategic partnerships, as nations seek to build sustainable and trustworthy technological ecosystems. At the same time, AI is transforming the information domain—enabling unprecedented advances, but also amplifying disinformation, influence operations, and cognitive warfare.