AI Smart Factory Forum | Taichung Session: Machine Tool Digital Ecosystems Drive Economic Benefits

On July 23, 2025, the "2025 AI Smart Factory" Forum, co-hosted by TechOrange and the Taiwan Machine Tool & Accessory Builders’ Association (TMBA), was held at the Splendor Hotel Taichung. Under the theme "Evolving Precision Machinery with AI: Solidifying International Competitiveness for the Machine Tool Market," the forum explored concrete action plans for maximizing operational efficiency through AI. The event gathered frontline technical practitioners and innovation leaders to propel a "smart revolution" within Taiwan’s manufacturing sector.

In the face of tariff pressures, labor shortages, and shifting international regulations, manufacturing costs have risen significantly. AI has emerged as the premier solution for reducing costs and improving precision. From production workflows to customer experience, AI is redefining the possibilities of manufacturing, with every link in the chain being transformed by data-driven decision-making.

Building Industrial Ecosystems to Enhance Competitiveness

In his opening remarks, Chi-chuan Dai, President of TechOrange, noted that Taichung serves as a global hub for precision machinery. Leveraging its complete supply chain, deep R&D capabilities, and high flexibility, the region has formed a uniquely advantageous "Golden Valley." As AI reshapes global manufacturing at an unprecedented pace, the integration of data, ecosystems, and intelligent decision-making has become the key to Taiwan's next phase of industrial upgrading.

"Rapidly developing a machine tool ecosystem is expected to drive greater economic effects," analyzed Patrick P. Chen, Chairman of TMBA. During the forum, he categorized the development of machine tool industrial ecosystem models into three types:

• Platform Ecosystems: With TMBA acting as the facilitator, this model consolidates industry standards and technical expertise. A primary example is the "TMBA AI Agent," which helps manufacturers quickly search for data, find answers, shorten design cycles, and improve quality.

• Solution-Based Ecosystems: Core enterprises coordinate and integrate resources from SaaS providers to offer modular and customized AI services.

• Value-Core Ecosystems: Starting from customer needs, this model uses an "Investment + Incubation" approach to connect suppliers and partners, creating a team-based strategy for market expansion.

Furthermore, Chairman Chen emphasized: "The power of an industrial ecosystem lies in diversity and collaboration. Only by placing customer experience at the core and using AI for data insight and precise decision-being can companies create differentiated value, establish new business models, and reshape their competitiveness." He also invited attendees to participate in TMTS 2026, hosted by TMBA, to witness the diverse forms and achievements of the machine tool ecosystem under the theme "AI-Powered, Sustainable Manufacturing."

The forum also featured several leaders in AI applications and solutions who shared the latest technical trends and real-world case studies. Speakers included representatives from Syntec Group (Leantec), Asia-Analytics, WiAdvance, Tafu International (TCC Global), the Digital Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Government, and NVIDIA. Topics ranged from smart Industrial IoT (IIoT) to AI model deployment and from urban digital governance to cross-domain collaboration strategies, providing a comprehensive analysis of how AI brings breakthrough momentum and transformation to the manufacturing industry.