TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan convened global leaders at the Net Zero City Leaders Summit (淨零城市國際峰會) on Tuesday (March 17) to address how AI can drive net-zero urban transformations.The gathering brought together policymakers, city leaders, industry experts, and public association representatives to discuss how emerging technologies can accelerate digital and environmental progress in cities worldwide. The summit established a key dialogue platform for international city exchange and cooperation, aiming to foster smart, sustainable development across participating nations.
The summit focused on "AI-Driven Dual Transformation," emphasizing smart and sustainable development. Minister of Economic Affairs Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) highlighted the significant energy consumption of AI applications during the main forum. He stated, "The AI era will be highly energy-intensive, making energy saving and carbon reduction more critical than ever. If net-zero and efficiency efforts don't keep pace, the world may not be able to sustain it."
National Development Council (國家發展委員會), Taiwan's top economic planning agency, Minister Yeh Chun-hsien (葉俊顯) said many Taiwanese cities leverage AI to enhance urban governance. He noted that cities play a critical role in climate action, and Taiwan advances steadily with ambitious carbon reduction goals. The government plans to share Taiwan's net-zero governance experiences globally, showcasing that "Taiwan Can Help," he stated.
The summit featured two keynote speakers covering critical topics including industrial transformation, urban climate resilience, and local revitalization strategies. Organizers approached these issues from policy planning, industrial application, and international cooperation perspectives, seeking comprehensive solutions. The event aimed to deepen smart cities' influence on global climate action through cross-border experience sharing and partnership collaboration among participating nations.