KMT Lawmaker Accuses Puma Shen of AI Incompetence in Taipei Mayoral Race

KMT legislators Wang Hong-wei, Li Yan-xiu, and Lai Shi-bao held a press conference in Taipei, publicly accusing DPP Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Bo-yang of being “extremely unprofessional” in his discussion of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry. They criticized Shen for only mentioning that commercial districts require land during a meeting, failing to explain the actual land and infrastructure needs of the AI sector, thereby suggesting a lack of understanding regarding AI development in Taiwan. This accusation immediately sparked discussion in the media and online, becoming one of the political focal points for both parties ahead of the upcoming Taipei mayoral election.

Since announcing his candidacy for Taipei mayor, Shen has repeatedly emphasized that technological innovation is the core driver of urban development, proposing policy concepts on “how to connect the tech industry and how to cultivate talent.” However, at the recent press conference, his remarks were deemed overly simplistic by KMT legislators, who argued he failed to elaborate on the complex demands for land, power, and network infrastructure required during the research, testing, and application phases of the AI industry. As a major global hub for semiconductor and chip manufacturing, Taiwan’s rapid advancement in AI technology is gradually shifting the industrial focus toward data centers and research parks, making land policy a hotly debated issue among policymakers and the industry.

The KMT’s move comes amid skepticism toward the DPP’s land use planning and tech industry support policies. Since 2018, the DPP-led administration in Taipei has promoted a “Smart City” initiative, incorporating the land use of commercial districts and industrial parks into its overall planning. The KMT argues that greater emphasis should be placed on the diversified use of land to avoid excessive concentration in commercial areas, and calls on the DPP to adopt a more forward-looking and transparent approach to land allocation for the AI industry. This criticism also reflects the ideological divergence between the two parties on urban planning and technological development.

In response, Shen stated that he is well-versed in “how to connect the tech industry and how to cultivate talent” and is willing to accept any criticism. Shen noted that the AI industry requires not only land but also robust talent cultivation mechanisms and supply chain synergy, which are key elements of his policy design. While his response projected confidence, it did not provide detailed explanations addressing the specific points raised by the KMT, leading some media observers to question the depth and feasibility of his policy explanations.

This press conference represents not only a debate between the two parties over AI industry and land policies, but also a strategic maneuver ahead of the Taipei mayoral election. As AI serves as a new engine of global competition, Taiwan’s positioning in this field directly impacts national economic competitiveness. Land policy, as the foundation of urban development, if mishandled, could affect the investment willingness of tech companies and talent mobility. The opposition between the two parties on this issue will serve as a key indicator for voters to assess the candidates’ capability in tech policy. If Shen can provide more specific land and talent cultivation plans in subsequent policy elaborations, he may alleviate some voter concerns about his “unprofessionalism”; conversely, if he fails to persuade voters, this could become a weakness in his electoral campaign.

(Source: CNA)