The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) held its 2024 ITRI Laureate Ceremony on September 6th, honoring five distinguished industry leaders for their exceptional contributions to their respective fields. This year’s honorees included Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of NVIDIA; Dr. Lisa Su, Chair and CEO of AMD; Jason Chen, Chairman and CEO of Acer; Doris Hsu, Chairperson and CEO of Sino-American Silicon Products and GlobalWafers; and Dr. Shih-Ann Chen, Superintendent of Taichung Veterans General Hospital.
Taiwan’s Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao commended the new laureates for their remarkable achievements and their significant impact on industrial development. Jensen Huang, driving AI industry development and leading NVIDIA to establish its first AI R&D center in Asia, was recognized for his commitment to advancing Taiwan’s AI chip industry ecosystem. Dr. Lisa Su, often referred to as the “Queen of Semiconductors,” was honored for her leadership in transforming AMD into a leader in high-performance computing, empowering Taiwan’s manufacturers and enhancing the global semiconductor ecosystem. Jason Chen, who has led Acer through a strategic transformation, was celebrated for his dedication to enhancing the brand’s cross-disciplinary innovation and setting an example for the ICT industry. Doris Hsu, known for her successful M&A track record and expansion of GlobalWafers’ global presence, was commended for her focus on organic growth, emphasizing automated production, diversifying procurement, and localizing production. Dr. Shih-Ann Chen received recognition for his pioneering work in atrial fibrillation ablation, which has propelled Taiwan’s position as a leader in medical innovation.
The ceremony marked the 13th anniversary of ITRI’s tradition of recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to industrial development and public well-being. “ITRI serves as a unique platform for the integration of cross-disciplinary innovations. The five new ITRI Laureates represent the forefront of advancements in AI, semiconductors, ICT, and biomedicine. Their contributions are expected to further elevate Taiwan’s global competitiveness for future generations,” said ITRI Chairman Tsung-Tsong Wu.
In their acceptance speeches, the new laureates expressed their gratitude to ITRI. Jensen Huang emphasized ITRI’s central role in global technology, expressing pride in being named an ITRI Laureate and encouraging ITRI to continue its significant contributions to the future of technology by engaging boldly with AI. Jason Chen, acknowledging that the award recognizes not only his work in the ICT industry but also the entire Acer community, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to Acer’s growth from its humble beginnings to its global presence. He also acknowledged the vision and support of Acer founder Stan Shih and Dr. Morris Chang, who have played instrumental roles in shaping Taiwan’s technology industry. Doris Hsu thanked ITRI for providing support in talent and technology development, facilitating the growth of her enterprises. She expressed her enthusiasm for future collaboration with ITRI on research and development in AI, green energy, and material science to accelerate industrialization. Dr. Shih-Ann Chen stated that this honor represents his 40-year medical career and his team’s contributions to Taiwan’s leadership in arrhythmia. He highlighted the importance of founding the Taiwan Smart Healthcare Alliance and expressed hope that continued collaboration with ITRI will advance AI applications in healthcare.
The ceremony also included a technology exhibition showcasing ITRI’s latest innovations in semiconductors, next-generation communications, AI applications, net zero technology, and healthy aging. Vice President Hsiao was impressed by ITRI’s efforts in commercializing R&D results, which have made Taiwan visible, respected, and valued on the global stage. ITRI President Edwin Liu highlighted ITRI’s strengths in exploiting diverse AI applications, citing the digital twins system for converter steel tapping as an example of optimized manufacturing processes for steelmakers. “The Institute will play a key role in leading the industry to embrace the AI challenges and opportunities,” he stressed.
About ITRI
The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is a world-leading technology R&D institution dedicated to innovating a better future for society. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a crucial role in transforming Taiwan’s industries from labor-intensive to innovation-driven. To address market needs and global trends, ITRI launched its 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap, focusing on innovation development in Smart Living, Quality Health, Sustainable Environment, and Resilient Society. Over the years, ITRI has been dedicated to incubating startups and spinoffs, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in the U.S., Europe, and Japan to extend its R&D scope and promote international cooperation.
For more information, please visit https://www.itri.org/eng .
