The computational know-how and advanced manufacturing abilities that have established Taiwan as a global leader in the chip supply chain are propelling it to a leading position in precision medicine.
As populations age, the problems posed by chronic health conditions like diabetes and osteoporosis become more pressing. Such diseases can be prevalent in regions where early diagnosis and intervention are scant as a result of systemic inequalities in affordability and service delivery. The ramifications extend far beyond individual health, placing strain on healthcare infrastructures already stretched thin.
The challenges don’t stop there, however. Climate change is erecting even more barriers to effective healthcare, with rising temperatures and changing weather patterns affecting everything from the frequency and severity of infectious disease outbreaks to mental health, particularly among vulnerable communities.
Although some of these issues can be alleviated—at least in the short term—with basic tools such as better nutrition, improved sanitation and expanded outreach, AI is playing a growing role in meeting the world’s emerging health threats.
“While fundamental solutions can effectively combat basic health challenges like sanitation and vaccination, advanced technology, such as AI, has the potential to enhance the efficiency and reach of these efforts,” says Dr Allen Lien, chairman and CEO of Taiwan’s Acer Medical, and a public health veteran with stints in South Africa, the US and elsewhere. “For example, AI-driven tools can optimise resource allocation, predict outbreaks and improve the speed of diagnosis in underserved areas.”
“AI-driven tools can optimise resource allocation, predict outbreaks and improve the speed of diagnosis in underserved areas.”
—Dr Allen Lien, chairman and CEO, Acer Medical
Acer works in precision medicine—the practice of tailoring treatment to an individual based on their genetics, environment and lifestyle—and is one of several companies that has made Taiwan an emerging player in the field. These companies have benefited from the island’s thriving technology ecosystem, access to the vast datasets generated by its advanced healthcare infrastructure and top-level policy support.
The result is a precision medicine industry that is now enhancing the effectiveness of medical treatments around the world.
Taiwan’s proficiency in precision medicine is inseparable from the computational resources and advanced manufacturing capabilities that have made it a global leader in the chip supply chain. Launched in 2020, the Taiwan Precision Health Strategy Development Programme seeks to leverage these assets—as well as the island’s talent pool and scholarly expertise—to make precision medicine one of the island’s priority industries.
Acer’s models have also highlighted the disparities in healthcare access, as many regions lack adequate screening infrastructure for conditions like retinal diseases. “These findings underscore the need for scalable, AI-driven healthcare solutions that can be deployed in a variety of clinical settings worldwide,” says Dr Lien.
Ultimately, the aim of health tech is to make advanced solutions accessible to every healthcare provider—no matter where they are or what resources they have. Technologies to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care can be easily scaled up, closing the health gap between urban and rural communities and improving outcomes in underserved areas, allowing everyone to benefit from the latest medical advancements.
Taiwan is playing a major role in that process. “Taiwan’s leadership in precision medicine is the result of several converging factors, including government support, world-class technology infrastructure and a robust healthcare system,” Mr Lo says, drawing attention to initiatives like the Taiwan Precision Health Strategy Development Programme, which has driven significant investment in the development of advanced diagnostic and treatment systems.
“Taiwan’s leadership in precision medicine is the result of several converging factors, including government support, world-class technology infrastructure and a robust healthcare system.”
—Michael HY Lo, head of strategy, Point Robotics MedTech
For Dr Lien, the island’s data privacy laws have also been vital in ensuring “that large-scale health data is utilised ethically and efficiently,” improving patient outcomes while safeguarding personal information.
AI is revolutionising global healthcare by enabling more precise, personalised and efficient care, he says, and Taiwanese innovations can help “maximise public health outcomes by addressing immediate needs, while building resilient systems capable of tackling more complex issues in the future.”
Produced byEI Studiosfor
How Taiwan’s technological advantages are improving global healthcare outcomes