Preface
In this unpredictable era, the emergence of many “black swan” and “grey rhino” events has drastically impacted global society and economy. Supply chain disruptions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, resource protectionism caused by the U.S.-China technology war and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, labor shortages due to aging and low birthrates, and the global challenge of net-zero emissions have all highlighted the need for more proactive and effective response strategies. Given these circumstances, “resilience” has become a key buzzword.
The Definition and Characteristics of Resilience
Odile Françoise Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), at the 2024 World Economic Forum stressed that the notion of resilience has become at the core of the agenda. Taiwan’s newly sworn-in President Lai Ching-te in his new policy initiatives also highlighted the need to strengthen the resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. He called for action to improve Taiwan’s security and to address diverse economic and social challenges. The core of a resilient society lies in its ability to resist, absorb, adapt to, and recover from external shocks and stresses in a timely and effective manner. This perspective is supported by both the World Bank and the Rockefeller Foundation, which emphasize that a truly resilient society should be able to withstand shocks and stresses while maintaining its essential functions, structure, and identity.
Taiwan has faced numerous social challenges in recent years. Short-term impacts are like COVID-19, droughts and water shortages caused by extreme weather, wars conflicts, and emergencies such as fires or power outages. Long-term pressures include infrastructure collapse due to geomorphic hazards, and shortage of caregivers and labor force due to aging population and low birthrate. In addition, the widespread use of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) has created an urgent need for accurate information. Meeting these challenges requires a comprehensive technology and innovation strategy to ensure the stability and sustainability of Taiwan’s society.
In line with this need, ITRI’s 2024 edition of IEKTopics features the theme of a Resilient Society, featuring 11 articles on 10 major topics. From short-term threats to long-term challenges, the publication summarizes specific practices that can improve Taiwan’s societal resilience, benchmarks technological applications home and abroad, and provides reference for the government, industry, academia and research sectors.
Mirroring International Practices to Seek Innovative Solutions
Advanced countries have taken actions one after another to tackle global challenges. In Chapter 2-1, Japan’s vision for a Digital Garden City Nation requires technologies such as digital management systems to strengthen the monitoring, rescue and recovery system for natural disasters and infrastructure. The U.S., the European Union and Germany have also formulated corresponding strategies, providing valuable experience in building a resilient society.
Chapter 2-2 focuses on innovative solutions. More than 150 different types of technology have been applied in industrial safety and security and consultancy for disaster prevention. Startups such as One Concern in the U.S. and ICEYE in Denmark demonstrate how innovative technologies provide solutions for real-time monitoring and disaster mitigation.
Chapter 2-3 emphasizes supply chain resilience. The cases of Bayer Group and New Balance show that how digital supply chain tools are used to gain end-to-end information and how data decision-making and collaboration mechanisms can help companies respond to the risk of supply chain disruptions.
In Chapter 2-4, our researchers address the challenges brought by artificial intelligence, especially the risks of AI-driven misinformation and disinformation. Tech giants such as OpenAI and Microsoft have adopted corresponding restrictions and regulations. Taiwan, on the other hand, has developed a local trustworthy generative AI engine TAIDE, aiming to build a sound AI development environment and enhance public trust.
Transportation, Energy, and Medical Care are Key Sectors for Taiwan’s Social Development
Transportation, energy and medical care, which are crucial for Taiwan’s social development, also need technological innovation. In Chapter 2-5, Japan’s experience in using drones to inspect transportation facilities and transport supply provides Taiwan with a model for Taiwan.
Chapter 2-6 discusses energy supply resilience, benchmarks the experience of the Netherlands’ NortH2 and the UK’s Humber H2ub project in promoting energy hubs—a key to strengthening national energy supply resilience and contributing to the industry’s net-zero transition.
Chapter 2-7 examines medical resilience by drawing on the U.S. cases such as the medical robot assistant from Diligent Robotics and the medical information platform from Nuance, as well as the health big data analysis of Huma in Germany. All the cases show that digital technology is vital for improving medical resilience.
ITRI’s 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap Adds the Domain of “Resilient Society”
In its 50th anniversary, ITRI proposed its 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap, which includes a new domain: Resilient Society. This domain focuses on the resilience of infrastructure, resources, energy, and productivity.
Regarding infrastructure resilience, Chapter 3-1 details ITRI’s development of multiple microgrid resilience technologies, regional grid disaster response technologies, and a resilient communications service ecosystem. These innovations are developed to help Taiwan strengthen the resilience of power grids and communications infrastructure.
In terms of resource and energy resilience, Chapter 3-2 highlights ITRI’s advancements in low-carbon recycling mineral technology and key composition analysis and evaluation technology of rare earth permanent magnet waste sources. These R&D achievements are aimed to improve the domestic production rate of materials and strengthen Taiwan’s overall energy/resource resilience.
Faced with the problem of unstable supply and demand of water resources, Chapter 3-3 introduces ITRI’s diversified water source purification technology andhigh-efficiency seawater desalination technology, along with its long-term goal on breakthroughs in energy/resource integration and extraction technology to ensure the resilience of Taiwan’s water supply.
In productivity resilience, Chapter 3-4 points out that ITRI has developed technologies such as the Detachable Robot Joint System and the Grinding and Polishing Robot that digitizes the skills of master craftsmen to assist the manufacturing industry in improving productivity and overcoming possible future labor shortage crisis.
Employ Technology to Respond to Risks and Stabilize Social Growth
Improving resilience and pursuing sustainability have become the new norms in response to the changes in global industrial trends. As the innovation engine of Taiwan’s science and technology development, ITRI will continue to play a pivotal role and work with the industry to weather every moment of change. The selection of the 11 articles illustrates how ITRI is dedicated to using technology to help Taiwan’s society cope with future risks and achieve steady growth—an approach essential for securing Taiwan’s competitive edge on the global stage.
