As global technological rivalry accelerates t ow ar d the quantum er a, quantum technologies have emerged as a critical pillar for strengthening strategic technological sovereignty among major economies. Building on its established strengths in semiconductors and inf ormation and communic ations technologies (ICT), Taiwan has proactively advanced its quantum strategy since 2020. In 2021, Taiwan formally launched The Taiwan Quantum National Team, under which the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC), the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Academia Sinica jointly committed NTD 8 billion from 2021 to 2025. This cross‑ministerial initiative focuses on building high-security quantum-encrypted communication networks, cultivating quantum talent, and establishing a comprehensive industry–academia ecosystem for quantum technologies. The Taiwan Quantum National Team is structured around three core pillars: universal-purpose quantum computing hardware, photonic quantum technologies, and quantum software technologies. These pillars encompass key areas, including superconducting parametric amplifiers, quantum circuits, photonic quantum chips, quantum key distribution (QKD) components, quantum program verification, and quantum error correction.
Academia: National Coordination Driving Multi-Dimensional Technological Progress
As the core institution of The Taiwan Quantum National Team, Academia Sinica debuting Taiwan’s first domestically developed five-qubit
superconducting quantum computer in 2023. In parallel, it is constructing a national-level quantum research center at its Southern Campus (Shalun), featuring high‑precision fabrication facilities, cryogenic measurement laboratories, a quantum chip fabrication platform (QC‑Fab), and a quantum computing test platform (QC‑Test). Scheduled for completion in 2026, this infrastructure is expected to significantly strengthen Taiwan’s capabilities in quantum chip fabrication, cryogenic measurement, and system‑level verification.
National Taiwan University (NTU) has partnered with IBM to establish the NTU-IBM Quantum Hub, thereby deepening research across various areas, including quantum computing theory, quantum simulation, compilers, and quantum control circuits. The hub also explores applications of quantum computing in finance, drug discovery, and cryptography, effectively building a multidisciplinary talent pipeline that spans multiple colleges.
National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) has achieved significant progress in the fields of quantum communications. In 2019, the university developed a single‑photon source prototype, and in 2023 it established Taiwan’s first high-speed, star-topology quantum-encrypted communication network, achieving a hundredfold increase in key generation rates compared with previous systems. In parallel, NTHU is advancing research on photonic quantum chips, quantum random number generators, multi‑channel photonic chips, and superconducting parametric amplifiers, with the aim of overcoming bottlenecks in signal amplification and coherence time.
National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU) focuses on research in silicon–germanium qubits, CMOS integration, cryogenic quantum control, and quantum materials research. In parallel, it develops quantum algorithms for applications such as portfolio optimization, thereby extending the innovations of quantum computing into biomedical informatics and big data analytics.
National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) established the Center for Quantum Frontiers of Research & Technology (QFort), specializing in quantum theory and quantum sensing. In 2023, its research on an innovative non-Markovian quantum process was published in Nature Communications, significantly enhancing weak‑signal detection capabilities with potential applications in medical imaging and biosensing. NCKU is also pioneering the application of digital annealing to optimization challenges in logistics, scheduling, and drug discovery.
Industry: Major Enterprises Leading Quantum Computing and Application Development
Taiwan’s ICT manufacturing and technology services sect ors ar e acceler ating the implementation of quantum strategies. Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) established its Quantum Computing Research Center in 2020, investing in areas including quantum compilers, quantum cryptography, quantum machine learning, and drug simulation. In 2023, Hon Hai further launched a trapped-ion quantum computing laboratory, with the objective of developing scalable, universal‑purpose quantum computing platforms. Looking ahead, the company plans to release a third‑generation programmable quantum computer prototype with 5‑10 qubits by 2027, supporting education, system testing, and research activities across Taiwan.
Quanta Computer has adopted the NVIDIA CUDA‑Q platform for quantum simulation and hardware validation. In parallel, the company has invested in U.S.-based superconducting and trapped-ion quantum start-ups, including Rigetti Computing and Quantinuum. Through the integration of multi-chip quantum processors with cloud platforms, these efforts strengthen strategic partnerships and expand Quanta’s quantum technology portfolio.
Compal Electronics has developed its proprietary CGA-QX quantum-inspired computing platform (Compal GPU Annealer), built on NVIDIA CUDA‑Q technology. The platform enhances the efficiency of combinatorial optimization simulations and has been applied to use cases including logistics, scheduling, and pharmaceutical development. In addition, Compal is partnering with medical institutions to apply quantum-inspired computing to precision medicine and cancer prediction analytics.
The participation of Hon Hai, Quanta, and Compal reflects the extension of Taiwan’s manufacturing and computing capabilities into the quantum industry value chain, accelerating the commercialization of academic and research outcomes.
Research Institutions: Key Integrators Driving Technology Translation and Application
Research institutions play a critical role as intermediaries within Taiwan’s quantum ecosystem, connecting foundational academic research with industrial demand through engineering development and application‑oriented integration.
The National Center for High-Performance
Computing (NCHC) is deploying Taiwan’s first research supercomputer, which integrates quantum and AI capabilities, utilizing the NVIDIA CUDA‑Q platform, NVIDIA HGX systems based on the Blackwell Ultra architecture, and NVIDIA Quantum InfiniBand high‑speed networking. Scheduled to commence operations in 2025, the system will support applications in quantum machine learning, quantum chemistry simulations, and the optimization of complex problems. In parallel, NCHC is collaborating with 20 The Taiwan Quantum National Team entities to promote cross‑disciplinary application deployment and ecosystem development.
With support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is responsible for developing quantum computer subsystem hardware as part of The Taiwan Quantum National Team. ITRI has developed cryogenic quantum microwave control and readout chip modules capable of operating at 4K, utilizing TSMC’s 28‑nanometre process to shorten transmission distances and reduce noise. Performance validation conducted with superconducting qubits at Academia Sinica has demonstrated superior results, with power consumption more than 50% lower than international benchmarks. These advances support deeper qubit control integration and circuit miniaturization, while facilitating international collaboration and supply‑chain integration.
Conclusion: Future Directions and Challenges for Taiwan’s Quantum Development
Under government policy guidance, Taiwan has integrated academic research, technology translation, and industrial investment, advancing from foundational research toward the establishment of a comprehensive quantum ecosystem. As global competition in quantum intensifies, Taiwan must seize the opportunities presented by technological transformation while carefully addressing emerging challenges.
Looking ahead, three priorities stand out. First, hardware and algorithms must advance in parallel, leveraging Taiwan’s strengths in semiconductors and information and communications technologies (ICT) to secure positions in critical quantum technologies. Second, the scale and continuity of research and development must be expanded, with the government providing stable funding, clear policy direction, and appropriate incentives, such as subsidies and tax measures, to encourage sustained private‑sector investment. Third, collaboration across industry, academia, and research institutions, as well as international collaboration, must be further deepened through
joint laboratories and technology transfer platforms. These efforts will strengthen the alignment between academic research outcomes and industrial needs, while enhancing global competitiveness through collaboration with leading international institutions.
To build Taiwan's quantum technology industry, several challenges must be addressed by decision makers. These include ensuring the long-term stability and scale of R&D resources; mitigating shortages of advanced quantum talent through proactive cultivation and retention strategies; bridging the gap between foundational research and commercialization by identifying market-relevant application scenarios; and establishing robust regulatory and legal frameworks, particularly in the areas of intellectual property protection and alignment with international standards, to facilitate interoperability and market expansion.
