TAIPEI, July 23 (Reuters) - Taiwan plans to launch its

"Ten Major AI Infrastructure Projects" initiative, aimed at

generating more than T$15 trillion ($510 billion) in economic

value by 2040 as it strives to become a global leader in

artificial intelligence.

Premier Cho Jung-tai said in a Facebook post late on Tuesday

that Taiwan aims to leverage its information and communications

technology (ICT) sector and world-leading semiconductor

manufacturing capabilities to become a global AI influencer and

a "smart technology island."

Under the initiative, Taiwan has identified three core

technologies as strategic priorities: silicon photonics, quantum

technology and AI robotics.

Silicon photonics is a technology that Taiwan's TSMC

, the world's largest contract chipmaker, and many

other firms in the industry are actively developing.

The government aims to position Taiwan as a global leader in

silicon photonics by aligning the sector with future AI

development needs.

Taiwan also hopes to become a key hub for AI robotics by

tapping its hardware and ICT supply chains.

Industry groups, including one led by Foxconn

Chairman Young Liu, have backed the move with the formation of

the Taiwan AI Robotics Industry Grand Alliance on Tuesday to

support the local development of AI robotics and related

ecosystems.

Taiwan also plans to establish a quantum technology industry

chain.

The 10 projects also include the development of sovereign AI

- ability to build and control domestic AI technologies - and

computing infrastructure, efforts to balance AI development

across different regions of the island, and the introduction of

AI across a wide range of industries.

The government also calls for expanding investment in AI

innovation, with more than T$100 billion ($3.08 billion) in

venture capital funding, as it seeks to become a global hub for

AI talent and investment.

The initiative targets the creation of 500,000 jobs and the

establishment of three international-level research

laboratories.