Taiwan’s cyber ambassador Audrey Tang participating in an online session at Asahi World Forum 2025 (Shingo Kuzutani)
Audrey Tang, the 2025 World Leader in AIWS Award Recipient, who served as Taiwan’s inaugural minister of digital affairs, outlined a road map for rebuilding democracy through digital technology at the Asahi World Forum 2025 held in October.
Speaking in a session titled “Social Media and the New Divide: Bridging Gaps Through ‘Technology for Good,’” Tang introduced initiatives in Taiwan, including online discussions that led to legal revisions when ride-hailing giant Uber entered the market.
She stressed the importance of a shared foundation where people with differing views can seek a common ground.
Tang said social media, which are designed to maximize user engagement by catering to individual interests, have weakened horizontal, peer-to-peer connections within society.
“The way to train ‘civic care’ into AI agents, I believe, is the great challenge that is facing all of us,” she said.
Tang, who is Taiwan’s cyber ambassador, said she uses business-oriented social networking service LinkedIn most frequently, although she also posts on other platforms, such as X and Instagram.
She also shared personal habits to avoid smartphone addiction, such as setting the screen to black and white and hiding “recommended” posts generated by artificial intelligence.
Tang collaborates with Japanese politicians, including exchanging views with Upper House member Takahiro Anno, leader of the Team Mirai party.
“Japan maybe is one of the best places to try digital democracy,” she said. “People are very ready to engage AI as a facilitator.”
By DAISUKE IGARASHI/ Senior Staff Writer
https://www.asahi.com/eco/awf/en/archive/1028_1200.html
