Taiwanese defense think tank to work with Microsoft on defense technologies

Original text from: TaiwanNews
By  Sylvia Teng
Published JUNE 23, 2020

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Taiwanese defense research institute has agreed to work with Microsoft Taiwan on seeking technological applications in national defense.

The government-funded Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) inked a letter of intent (LOI) with Microsoft Taiwan on Monday (June 22). The collaboration will be focused on talent and academic exchanges in the form of workshops and other activities while exploring possible application fields, CNA cited Su Tzu-yun (蘇紫雲), head of INDSR's Division of National Defense Resources and Industries, as saying.

Su went on to say that findings from INDSR and Microsoft cooperation on various technologies can later be applied to fields such as management of defense resources, digital security, battlefield management, and military medical research.

INDSR Chairman Huoh Shoou-Yeh (霍守業) remarked that the collaboration will offer advantages for Taiwan’s national defense capabilities. He expressed appreciation for the American Institute in Taiwan's (AIT) support.

Vincent Shih (施立成), assistant general counsel at Microsoft, stated that the LOI will pave the way for the company’s further development in talent incubation, IoT centers, as well as national security while partnering with Taiwan’s most prominent defense think tank.

AIT Deputy Director Raymond Greene stressed that Taiwan and the U.S. are partners that will work together toward ensuring democracy in the face of threats.