Taiwan Joins Global Giant Telescope Project, Showcases Quantum Computing Advances

Academia Sinica, Taiwan's national research institution, has unveiled a series of major scientific and technological accomplishments from the past two years. These achievements span astronomy, quantum computing, and biomedical research, underscoring Taiwan's growing role in global scientific endeavors.

A key highlight is Taiwan's official entry into the international collaboration to build the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT). This 30-meter optical telescope, set to be the world's most powerful, will involve partnerships with countries including the United States, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel, and South Korea. The GMT's advanced capabilities are expected to revolutionize astronomical research, offering nine times the light-gathering power and three times the spatial resolution of current 8-10 meter telescopes. This will enable unprecedented studies of exoplanets, black holes, galaxy formation, and cosmic evolution.

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Our country has officially joined the international cooperative project to build the Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT), jointly creating the world's most powerful 30-meter-class ground-based optical telescope.

In the realm of cutting-edge technology, Academia Sinica, in collaboration with several Taiwanese universities, has successfully developed Taiwan's first 20-qubit superconducting quantum computer using indigenous technology. This breakthrough significantly improved quantum bit coherence time and established a large-scale quantum chip fabrication platform, positioning Taiwan among the leading nations in quantum computing technology. The institution has also established an AI promotion office and issued guidelines for generative AI use, supporting 20 cross-disciplinary AI research projects.

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We have successfully developed Taiwan's first 20-qubit superconducting quantum computer with independent technology.

Biomedical research has also seen significant progress, with Academia Sinica partnering with the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) to complete the world's largest integrated analysis of lung adenocarcinoma proteomic and genomic data. In the humanities and social sciences, the institution continues its participation in the World Values Survey, tracking global societal, political, economic, religious, and cultural changes. Furthermore, Academia Sinica is actively cultivating international talent through its International Ph.D. Program, attracting over 60 doctoral students from around the globe.

Looking ahead, Academia Sinica is focused on expanding its research infrastructure, with plans for a new campus in Yilan and continued development of its southern campus. The institution has also launched an official YouTube channel, which has garnered over 110,000 views, enhancing its outreach and dissemination of research findings. These strategic initiatives are designed to position Academia Sinica for its centennial celebration in 2028 and to propel its research and development into the next phase.

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We have completed the world's largest integrated analysis of lung adenocarcinoma proteomic and genomic data in collaboration with the US National Cancer Institute.