Prepare for cloud computing, Taiwan urged

A scholar from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) urged Taiwan to make major adjustments as it shifts to cloud computing technology. Victor Zue, director of the MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), gave the advice at a business forum in Taipei. "Cloud computing is disruptive, and it will have a significant impact on Taiwan's ICT industry in the next decade, especially in software-centric research and development," he said at the Global Views Business Forum, according to a report on Taiwan's Central News Agency. The forum, founded in 2003, features 70 speakers in the fields of green energy, finance, and medical science. It is expected to draw more than 400 business leaders from the United States, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, CNA reported. Zue said the market for computers will change dramatically with large demand for data centers and new computing infrastructure. Software-as-a-service (SAAS) will boost demand for software development and software-centric research and development, he added. Zue said the challenges of developing software will prompt Taiwan to improve its computing infrastructure, and reform its education system to foster creativity and innovation. It will also need to respect intellectual property rights (IPR) and cooperate with partners who have diverse backgrounds, he said. "To overcome these challenges, Taiwan will need to make fundamental adjustments to education, technology development strategy, government policy and societal perspectives," he said. — TJD, GMA News