TAIPEI, TAIWAN — September 1, 2026: The World Innovation, Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) and the Taiwan Innovative Software and Services Association (TISSA) today opened the WITSA Global AI Summit 2026 at the Grand Hotel, Taipei. Convening under the theme “AI Alive, Beyond the Future,” the two-day Summit drew 472 registered delegates from 34 countries and featured 21 speakers across a full program of keynotes, panels, and business-matching activities engaging government, industry, and academic leadership.
This edition marks the Summit's biggest step up in ambition to date, headlined by three firsts for WITSA's global network: the launch of the WITSA Global AI Index, the inaugural WITSA Global AI Awards, and the first in-person edition of the WITSA International Match Day.
WITSA Chairman Dato’ Dr Sean Seah mentioned, “Taiwan's selection as host for a second consecutive year is a recognition of the trust our membership places in this ecosystem. With the launch of two landmark platforms in the WITSA Global AI Index and the WITSA Global AI Awards, this Summit will be one of the most consequential gatherings in WITSA's history.”
The WITSA Global AI Index: A New Global Benchmark
The WITSA Global AI Index launches as the industry-led benchmark of national AI ecosystem development, covering 128 economies across 7 pillars, 16 sub-pillars, and 83 indicators. Of these, 103 economies are scored under an OECD/JRC-compliant, per-capita methodology, developed with practitioner input from WITSA's national member associations and validated by a 22-member panel of international experts drawn from six continents.
Addressing delegates at the Opening Ceremony, Dr Seah added: “When we speak of AI as a ‘living force,’ we are, in many ways, describing what Taiwan has already built. This morning, we launch the WITSA Global AI Index — a tool that will let nations see themselves clearly as they are and where they would like to go, where they must invest, and where collaboration will serve them best. And at the WITSA Global AI Awards, we will stand together to recognize the individuals and organizations turning that vision into reality at the inaugural WITSA Global AI Awards.”
TISSA Chairman, Dr Brian Shen also highlighted, “AI Alive, Beyond the Future is the lens through which TISSA shaped this year's Summit. We wanted to move the conversation past the hype cycle and ask what it actually looks like for AI to be alive in our institutions, our industries, and our daily lives, while still keeping sight of what comes next. Taiwan, with its strength in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, is the right place to explore that question, and we are honored to host the Summit, alongside the launch of the WITSA Global AI Index and the inaugural WITSA Global AI Awards.”
“For years, the story of global AI ecosystems has been told through anecdotes and reputation. The WITSA Global AI Index changes that. Tracking 128 economies across seven pillars and 83 indicators, it gives policymakers, , business leaders, and investors an evidence-based picture of what has actually been built, and a roadmap for what comes next,” said WITSA CEO, Dato' Dan E Khoo, who later presented the Index findings to delegates in his keynote address.
Inaugural WITSA Global AI Awards & Gala Dinner
In the evening, delegates gather for the WITSA Global AI Awards & Gala Dinner, recognizing international AI Champions across seven categories aligned with the Index's pillars: AI Infrastructure, AI Talent, AI Entrepreneurship, AI Use Cases, Data, Public Policy, and AI Investments.
WITSA International Match Day: First In-Person Edition
The WITSA International Match Day (WIMD) — one of WITSA's catalytic platforms bringing together business leaders and technology industry experts from around the world, is held in person, taking place on the second day of the AI Summit. The three-hour session spotlights the WITSA Global AI Award winners on a global stage, giving participants the opportunity to connect with companies in new markets, gain insight into emerging technology trends, and learn directly from major global players shaping the digital economy.
The in-person edition brings together media, Summit delegates, speakers, WITSA and TISSA members and the global champions.
“The WITSA International Match Day was built to connect people, not just showcase them. Taking it in-person for the first time, and pairing it directly with our Global AI Award winners, turns the Summit's biggest moment of recognition into an immediate opportunity for real business development," said WITSA Deputy Chairman Robert Janssen, who led the WITSA International Match Day session.
The WITSA Global AI Summit 2026 starts today till September 2, 2026, at the Grand Hotel, Taipei, hosted by TISSA.
About WITSA
The World Innovation, Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) is a global consortium of tech industry associations from 80 countries and economies. WITSA is committed to driving innovation, advancing economic growth, and fostering international trade and investment in the tech industry. Through its leadership and advocacy, WITSA strengthens its members' national industry associations and connects them to a vast network of global professionals and partners.
WITSA’s catalytic platforms include the WITSA World Cup, the WITSA Global AI Ecosystem Network and the World Congress on Innovation & Technology (WCIT), recognized as the premier international tech industry platform.
The WITSA Global AI Ecosystem Network unites a global network of AI hubs to drive advancements in artificial intelligence, while the WITSA World Cup fosters competition among the best scaleups, celebrating innovation and tech entrepreneurship at a global stage.
WITSA continues to catalyze industry collaboration, pushing the frontiers of digital transformation and innovation. By uniting members from diverse regions across six continents, WITSA creates a platform for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and collective advocacy on critical industry issues. Through these efforts, WITSA plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the global digital economy.
Contact person:
WITSA Global AI Index: Anders Halvorsen, VP Global Public Policy: ahalvorsen@witsa.org
WITSA Catalytic Platforms, Azlina Ishak, Marcom Director: azlina@witsa.org
