To strengthen Taichung City's progress towards becoming a smart city and enhance AI technology applications, Lin Ku-Lung, Director of Digital Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Government, led a delegation with professors from Feng Chia University to Singapore for exchanges from September 9 to 13. They visited several important institutions in the AI field in Singapore, gaining an in-depth understanding of AI technology application introduction, talent cultivation, and industrial innovation, hoping to learn from Singapore's successful experiences and motivate Taichung City's future smart city and net-zero sustainable development.

Director Lin stated that the Singapore government's digital progress has been very rapid. In the 2024 Smart City ranking by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland, Singapore impressively secured the fifth place globally and the first place in Asia. In fact, in another evaluation by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), Singapore was named the first Annual Intelligent Community (TOP1) by the forum in 1999. Taichung City also achieved the excellent result of being ranked TOP1 by ICF in 2013.

Director Lin pointed out that during this visit to Singapore by Digital Affairs Bureau, accompanied by Professor Zhou Tienyin and Associate Professor Ye Meiling from Feng Chia University, they met with various institutions and academic units. For instance, they visited AI Singapore, funded by the Singapore government. Director for AI Innovation Laurence Liew personally introduced their 100E program, which focuses on exploring AI upgrade solutions for enterprises commissioned by the government and cultivating AI talents to solve practical problems. To date, this program has helped Singapore complete over 100 projects and trained more than 400 AI professionals.

Director Lin mentioned that they also visited the Singapore Institute of Management (SIM). The school uses AI to promote global education and development. During the meeting, the school arranged for Taiwanese students to share their learning experiences in Singapore. Moreover, Taichung Home Economics and Commercial Senior High School has previously signed a memorandum of cooperation with SIM, and this exchange further strengthened the cooperative relationship between both parties in education and technical exchanges.

Director Lin further noted that during this visit to Singapore, they especially appreciated the assistance of Ambassador of R.O.C. in Singapore, Tung Chen-Yuan, who accompanied them throughout the visit to the new Punggol campus of Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). Taichung City Government became the first international visitor to this top Singaporean university's new campus after its opening. Notably, NVIDIA, the tech giant renowned for its AI computing capabilities, has also partnered with SIT to establish an artificial intelligence center, further promoting the application of AI in smart cities and industries, providing powerful R&D resources for the development of Singapore's digital economy.

Director Lin also said that through this exchange, they gained an in-depth understanding of Singapore's development focus in AI innovation, including establishing a strong AI talent cultivation mechanism while attracting top international talents. Furthermore, Singapore's smart city infrastructure and industrial innovation provide a good development blueprint for Taichung City's digital transition. They look forward to continuing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in AI technology applications between the two sides.

• Figure 1: Digital Affairs Bureau Director Lin Ku-Lung leads a delegation to visit and exchange with AI Singapore on AI talent empowerment
• Figure 2: AI Singapore Director for AI Innovation Laurence Liew shares valuable experiences in promoting AI innovation
• Figure 3: Representatives from Taichung City Government and Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) discuss talent cooperation and exchange
• Figure 4: Taichung City Government and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) professor representative Ian McLoughlin (4th from the right) discuss the application of AI in smart cities and industries
• Figure 5: Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) Punggol new campus, opened in early 2024, receives its first external visiting group
• Figure 6: Director Lin presents locally painted ceramics from Taichung artists to AI Singapore Director for AI Innovation

Figure 7: Digital Affairs Bureau delegation visited multiple institutions and academic units in Singapore, thanking Ambassador Tung Chen-Yuan of the Taipei Representative Office in Singapore for the arrangements