President Tsai Ing-wen sent a letter to Pope Francis Jan. 31, supporting the message within his missive for the 57th World Day of Peace calling for the use of artificial intelligence to improve the quality of life for everyone.
The pontiff said in his message released Jan. 1 that remarkable advances in information technology offer both exciting opportunities and grave risks, adding that they have already begun to effect profound transformations in global society. Francis emphasized hopes that progress in developing AI will ultimately serve the cause of peace and fellowship.
According to the president, as a leader in the semiconductor industry, Taiwan has advanced the growth of AI and other cutting-edge technologies. A shining example in this regard is the AI Taiwan Action Plan 2.0 launched in 2023 that emphasizes the ethical and legal considerations of AI, she said.
Equally important, Tsai said the government is drafting basic laws to create a trustworthy digital environment and protect the rights and interests of the public, adding that such efforts closely correspond to the pope’s vision for AI.
At the same time, the president said Taiwan is doing its utmost to help build the capacity for people to combat disinformation by improving their ability to discriminate between true and false information. The country is eager to share its successful experiences with the rest of the world, she added.
Echoing the pope’s message that “algorithms must not be allowed to determine how we understand human rights,” Tsai said Taiwan will use technology to increase public trust, defend freedom and democracy and mitigate any negative impacts of AI. The country will continue to expand cooperation with the Holy See to create a peaceful future for all, she said. (SFC-E)
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