Taipei plays host to global smart city expo
TAIPEI, Taiwan, March 17, 2026 — The 2026 Smart City Summit & Expo (SCSE) and Net Zero City Expo kicked off on Tuesday (March 17) in Taipei, attracting delegates from 174 cities across 53 countries to explore artificial intelligence and sustainable urban solutions. Co-organized by the Taipei Computer Association, Taiwan Smart City Solutions Alliance (TSSA), and government agencies, the event features over 2,250 booths in Taipei and Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s second-largest city. More than 70 professional forums will take place during the multi-day gathering.
Organizers reported that over 3,000 international professionals are attending the expo, alongside more than 250 participating startups. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and Poland have set up themed pavilions for the first time at this annual event. Thirteen local governments from Taiwan have also established city-themed pavilions to highlight ongoing smart and net-zero initiatives in their jurisdictions.
Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim told opening ceremony attendees that digitalization and net-zero transition are central to developing human-centered technologies. “We believe that digital and net-zero transformation are the focus of human-centered technology development,” she said. Hsiao’s remarks underscored Taiwan’s commitment to positioning itself as a global hub for smart city innovation.
Market research cited by organizers projects the smart city AI market will grow from US$50.63 billion (around NT$1.62 trillion) in 2025 to US$460.47 billion (around NT$14.75 trillion) by 2034. To capitalize on this trend, the expo introduced a new initiative titled “City Vision in Action,” connecting real-world urban challenges with practical solutions through government-industry collaboration. The initiative brings together 22 municipal challenges from 21 cities across 15 countries, covering smart governance, sustainability, transportation, energy transition, and social services.
The expo highlights Taiwan’s expanding AI robotics ecosystem, featuring applications in healthcare, food service, logistics, and disaster response that organizers say showcase the island’s competitive edge in smart city technology. Exhibits include service robots, autonomous mobile robots, and inspection and firefighting robots designed for urban environments. These technologies reflect the growing role of robotics in public services and infrastructure maintenance across Taiwan and globally.
Officials emphasized the importance of keeping people at the center of technological development. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) stressed the human aspect of smart city innovation. “If technology can help us save one more life, then a smart city is more than just technology—it’s compassion and responsibility,” he said. Chiang’s comments reflected a broader expo theme prioritizing livability over pure efficiency.
A closed-door workshop is scheduled for Wednesday (March 18), followed by an international matchmaking event on Thursday (March 19) to foster long-term collaboration between cities and industry partners. The Taipei exhibition runs from Tuesday to Friday (March 17-20) at Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 2. The expo then moves to Kaohsiung Exhibition Center from Friday to Sunday (March 20-22).
Contact Details:
Company Name: Taipei Computer Association
Smart City Promotion Team Manager
Betty Lin, bettyL@mail.tca.org.tw
Smart City Promotion Team Senior Coordinator
Nicholle Chen, nicholle@mail.tca.org.tw
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