Turning Data into Business Opportunities: The Public Service Industry Must Learn to Leverage Resources and Build Momentum
Gaining insights from consumer data and transforming them into business opportunities has become a fundamental capability that modern essential services industries must master after undergoing digital transformation.
As data application accelerates, improving data privacy protection and security regulations will be essential for upgrading Taiwan's essential services industry. Ensuring the legality and transparency of data use not only enhances user trust but also provides a long-term stable development impetus for the industry.
(Section Title) Data Privacy and Security Regulations Depend on Comprehensive Legislation by the Government
But how can data privacy and security regulations be improved? The EU's experience reveals three insights. In 2024, the EU passed the Artificial Intelligence Act (AIA) to strengthen the supervision of AI technology, establishing an advanced protection framework based on GDPR, setting a global benchmark for data privacy and security management.
Specifically, the EU has established strict regulations for high-risk AI applications (such as medical diagnosis, autonomous driving, smart surveillance), including data transparency, risk assessment, and compliance certification. The implementation of the Artificial Intelligence Act has significantly enhanced the trustworthiness and competitiveness of European enterprises in data application. For example, 95% of EU companies believe that transparent data usage regulations enhance customer trust; in the first quarter of 2024, the compliance services market for AI-related industries in the EU grew by 22%, demonstrating the positive market benefits brought by regulations; several major tech companies, including Europe's largest software provider SAP and engineering giant Siemens, have obtained compliance certification and successfully entered the high-risk AI application market.
Taiwan can draw on the successful experience of the EU's Artificial Intelligence Act to improve local data privacy and security regulations, especially in sensitive areas of AI technology application (such as healthcare and smart cities), by formulating corresponding risk assessment and compliance procedures. The government should prioritize establishing third-party data governance bodies in smart healthcare and smart retail to ensure data security and transparency of use. At the same time, technologies such as "post-quantum cryptography" should be adopted to secure data transmission and storage.
(Section Title) Government and Enterprises Collaborate to Foster Talent and International Cooperation
To compete globally, Taiwan must accelerate the cultivation of data science and AI talent and establish international cooperation platforms to attract cutting-edge technology and expertise to the local market.
Estonia, a small country like Taiwan, understands the importance of leveraging resources. In cooperation with the EU, through the "Digital Europe Program," it established digital skills training centers focusing on cultivating high-end talent in AI, data analytics, and digital security. It successfully trained over 1,200 AI and data professionals, 70% of whom found employment in local or international tech companies after completing the courses.
Subsequently, Estonia further partnered with Finland to launch the "AI Arctic Alliance," focusing on smart healthcare and smart city applications. The alliance attracted companies such as Google DeepMind and Nokia to participate, jointly promoting data sharing and standardization of AI application technologies. This included bilateral cooperation on developing AI models for chronic disease health monitoring in smart healthcare, improving the efficiency of remote health management for patients; and in the smart city domain, deploying jointly developed smart traffic management systems in major Estonian and Finnish cities, reducing traffic congestion by 25%.
As a result, in 2024, Estonia attracted over 200 million euros in international investment in AI and smart applications. According to an EU assessment report, the country's data and AI talent outflow rate decreased by 15%, contributing to the long-term development of the local tech ecosystem.
In fact, the Taiwanese government could also cooperate with international companies like Google AI Center to establish an innovation center in Hsinchu Science Park, attracting international researchers and local experts to jointly develop technology and promote the application of AI in retail, healthcare, and transportation. At the same time, it should add relevant academic courses and corporate internship opportunities to further expand the AI talent reserve.
By drawing on international experience, Taiwan can establish comprehensive data security regulations and international technical cooperation, which will not only enhance consumer trust but also attract more foreign investment and cutting-edge technology companies to Taiwan. Looking ahead, only through collaboration between the government and enterprises, actively promoting data-driven smart transformation, can Taiwan continue to leverage its unique competitive advantages on the international stage and aspire to become a significant participant and leader in the global essential services industry.