The Executive MBA Program of the Department of Business Administration at National Chung Cheng University (CCU) and the CCU Business Administration Alumni Association jointly hosted a keynote lecture on June 7, featuring Tain-Tsair Hsu, Chairman of the Commerce Development Research Institute (CDRI), former Mayor of Tainan City, and former Legislator. Delivering a speech titled “Crossing the Critical Thresholds in the Age of AI,” Chairman Hsu shared his insights on global industrial trends, technological transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI), and strategies for business innovation and transformation.

The event drew a full house, attended by Ya-Hui Lien, Dean of the College of Management, and Cheng-Kuei Huang, Chair of the Department of Business Administration, alongside CCU MBA students, faculty, alumni, and business professionals who engaged enthusiastically throughout the session.

Chairman Hsu emphasized that AI is no longer merely a technological tool but a transformative force reshaping global value chains, business models, and competitive landscapes. Amid challenges such as supply chain restructuring, digital transformation, net-zero carbon initiatives, and geopolitical uncertainties, organizations must rethink their positioning and value-creation strategies. Leveraging AI to drive innovation and transformation, he noted, will be essential to maintaining a competitive edge in the future.

He further pointed out that while Taiwan possesses world-class strengths in semiconductors and high-tech manufacturing, the key drivers of competitiveness in the AI era are increasingly shifting toward data governance, platform economies, and service ecosystem development. Forward-thinking businesses must look beyond mere productivity enhancement to focus on leveraging data assets, strengthening cross-disciplinary collaboration, and developing innovative business models. Doing so will create greater added value, transitioning the industry from a manufacturing-oriented mindset to a value-creation approach.

Addressing talent development, Chairman Hsu stressed that the most critical competencies in the AI era are interdisciplinary integration, strategic thinking, and problem-solving abilities. While AI can streamline execution, it cannot replace human creativity, judgment, and value-based decision-making. Therefore, higher education institutions should cultivate interdisciplinary talent equipped with technological literacy, humanistic perspectives, and management expertise.

Ya-Hui Lien, Dean of the College of Management, remarked that AI is rapidly transforming global industrial structures and talent demands. In response, the College has actively promoted digital transformation initiatives, interdisciplinary learning opportunities, and industry-academia collaboration. These efforts aim to nurture future leaders who possess technological competence, global perspectives, and strong managerial capabilities. She noted that the lecture provided valuable insights into AI development trends, deepening participants’ understanding of industrial transformation and innovative management practices.

Cheng-Kuei Huang, Chair of the Department of Business Administration, stated that AI is fundamentally changing business operations and managerial decision-making. Consequently, management education must evolve by emphasizing interdisciplinary integration and practical application skills. He added that Chairman Hsu’s forward-looking perspectives offered students and faculty a prime opportunity to better understand emerging industry trends while further strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.

The nearly three-hour event featured in-depth discussions on global economic trends, industrial policies, and the future trajectory of AI. Drawing upon his extensive experience in national economic policymaking, local governance, and industrial development, Chairman Hsu provided participants with invaluable perspectives on upcoming opportunities and challenges. Attendees widely agreed that the lecture deepened their understanding of AI-driven transformation and offered crucial insights for future business strategies and career development.

The Department of Business Administration at National Chung Cheng University remains committed to inviting distinguished leaders from academia, industry, and government to share their expertise. Through these ongoing initiatives, the department aims to strengthen industry-academia collaboration, broaden international perspectives, and cultivate outstanding talent capable of thriving amid the opportunities and challenges of the AI era.