The Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) today hosted a press conference to launch the 2026 Best AI Awards, officially kicking off Taiwan's most iconic AI software event. The competition features two main categories: AI Applications and IC Design, with a top prize of NT$1 million. Building on the inaugural event's mission to catalyze key AI innovations and attract international talent, this year's awards introduce a new focus: encouraging developers to leverage global resources like GitHub to fine-tune AI models that meet local demands. Furthermore, the MOEA is actively inviting international enterprises to Taiwan to collaborate with the nation's robust semiconductor supply chain in creating cutting-edge Edge AI solutions. Registration is open from today until March 16, and large enterprises, SMEs, startups, students, and international teams are invited to participate.

Chao-Chung Kuo, Director General of the Department of Industrial Technology (DoIT), stated that the Best AI Awards are not merely about selecting winners, but about building a national-level stage that synergizes AI software innovation with Taiwan's dominance in semiconductors and IC design. He emphasized that winning teams will receive exclusive priority incentives, including enhanced R&D subsidies, international trade show matchmaking, connections to cross-ministerial investments, and access to startup resources. These measures provide teams with substantive post-competition support to accelerate the formation of industry models and drive smart upgrades across sectors, strengthening Taiwan's competitiveness in the global AI supply chain.

The inaugural Best AI Awards attracted over 1,000 teams, establishing itself as Taiwan's largest AI software competition. The event functions as more than just a venue for identifying and promoting innovative technologies; it also acts as a critical bridge connecting teams with industry resources and capital. Several winning teams from the inaugural competition successfully connected with the investment market post-competition. Success stories include Jmem Tek securing NT$180 million in investment, Pulxion Medical Technology receiving an NT$100 million capital injection, and eYs3D Microelectronics, which was actively approached by multiple system manufacturers for partnerships following their win. These results demonstrate the competition's effectiveness in accelerating technology implementation and fostering industrial cooperation.

Director General Kuo further noted that global AI development is evolving from Discriminative AI, which focuses on judgment and analysis, toward Agentic AI-systems capable of autonomous planning and decision-making. AI is no longer just a passive tool but an intelligent partner capable of actively executing tasks and optimizing workflows. Therefore, this year's competition will award bonus points for key technologies such as Agentic AI and model lightweighting. The goal is to guide the industry to leverage international resources and Taiwan's ICT advantages, pushing to integrate AI applications into diverse industries and drive growth through industrial upgrading.

The 2026 Best AI Awards invites students, businesses, and international teams to submit innovative works with industrial potential. The top prize for the student category is NT$300,000, while the company category offers a maximum prize of NT$1 million. The finals are scheduled for April 25, 2026. For detailed information, please visit the official website: www.bestaiawards.com.tw