Kaohsiung’s AI Vision: Deputy Mayor Charles Lin on Smart City Transformation
Kaohsiung is rapidly emerging as a global leader in AI-driven smart city development. At the recent Smart City Summit & Expo 2025, Deputy Mayor Charles Lin shared his insights on the city’s ambitious plans, emphasizing industry cooperation, AI platform innovation, and citizen-centric governance.
SCSE 2025: A Catalyst for Collaboration
“This year’s Smart City Summit marks our fourth edition, and its significance cannot be overstated,” Deputy Mayor Lin began. “Our goal is to foster deeper industry cooperation, actively engage citizens in urban development, and facilitate meaningful international exchange.” The summit, he explained, serves as a vital platform for integrating resources from diverse sectors, including industry giants, government agencies, academic institutions, and research centers. With over 150 exhibitors, 500 booths, and 220 professional forums, SCSE 2025 is a testament to Kaohsiung’s commitment to driving smart city solutions on a global scale.
Building a Sovereign AI City: A Global First
Kaohsiung is pioneering a city-level generative AI platform, a project Deputy Mayor Lin calls “a global first.” “We are developing large language models and vision-language models tailored to our local language, culture, and specific data needs,” he elaborated. “This sovereign AI system will optimize city services and unlock new business models.” Through strategic domestic and international collaborations, Kaohsiung aims to create an AI platform that sets a new standard for urban innovation.
Revolutionizing Healthcare with Federated Learning
Smart healthcare is another key focus area. Deputy Mayor Lin highlighted the city’s collaboration with major medical centers to advance federated learning. “This technology allows hospitals to share data while maintaining patient privacy and cybersecurity,” he explained. “By enhancing diagnosis accuracy and patient treatment, we are significantly improving the quality of medical services.” Kaohsiung is also actively exporting its smart healthcare solutions, including remote healthcare and AI-assisted medical image analysis, to international partners.
Digital Twins and Infrastructure Efficiency
Kaohsiung is leveraging cutting-edge urban management technologies to enhance infrastructure efficiency. “We are deploying data analysis from various sources to monitor and evaluate urban areas,” Deputy Mayor Lin stated. “Digital twins play a crucial role in identifying predictive scenarios for infrastructure and supporting informed decision-making.” This approach enables proactive management of public works, disaster prevention, and even carbon dioxide reduction calculations.
Leveraging Semiconductor Power for AI Advancement
Kaohsiung’s strategic location within Taiwan’s advanced semiconductor ecosystem, including the presence of TSMC, provides a significant advantage. “Cooperation with TSMC and Nvidia provides us with the high-speed computing power necessary for AI applications in critical areas like transportation, energy management, and public safety,” Deputy Mayor Lin emphasized. “Our goal is to create a cooperative innovation ecosystem that attracts top technology and talent, further developing and exporting our smart city solutions.”
A Vision for the Future
Deputy Mayor Lin’s vision for Kaohsiung extends beyond mere technological advancement. He envisions a city where AI empowers citizens, enhances quality of life, and drives sustainable development. “Through strategic partnerships and a relentless pursuit of innovation, Kaohsiung is setting a new benchmark for smart city transformation,” he concluded. “We are building a future-proof city that serves as a model for urban development worldwide.” His insights at SCSE 2025 painted a picture of a city on the cusp of a technological revolution, driven by AI and a commitment to its citizens.
