Taiwan is expanding its military use of artificial intelligence through new defense organizations and governance initiatives, but researchers say the technology’s full potential will remain out of reach unless the country overcomes major institutional and technical hurdles.
A new analysis by researchers Fanny Chao and Sam Bresnick identifies governance, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and workforce gaps as key barriers that could slow military AI adoption, limiting operational effectiveness and interoperability with partner forces during a future conflict.
Since 2024, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense has established a Defense Innovation Office and a dedicated AI Office to accelerate the adoption of AI applications, including image recognition and cyber defense tools.
It has also proposed an AI Governance Committee to oversee risk classification, development verification, and security monitoring as part of its broader strategy for integrating AI across the armed forces.
Governance Gaps Threaten Military AI Rollout
The researchers argue that new organizations alone will not be enough to advance Taiwan’s military AI ambitions, calling instead for stronger governance, technical standards, and digital infrastructure.
Among the biggest obstacles identified in the report are limited cloud computing capacity, data storage, network bandwidth, and fragmented military datasets, all of which could hamper AI deployment.
The report also points to cybersecurity requirements and workforce readiness as additional challenges to expanding military AI capabilities.
Closing the Gaps
The analysis highlighted a fundamental cybersecurity dilemma: Taiwan relies on air-gapped networks to prevent Chinese cyber espionage, while AI applications depend on frequent software updates and access to large datasets.
Researchers also cited shortages of AI talent and limited collaboration with private software developers, recommending stronger civil-military partnerships and workforce development.
To address those issues, they recommend expanding the Ministry of National Defense’s AI Office to coordinate implementation across the armed forces, backed by permanent funding and closer partnerships with US defense technology companies.
