Dr. Sue Keay, Director of the AI Institute at the University of New South Wales and recognized as one of the world’s top 20 women in robotics and automation by SME’s global list, visited Taiwan’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday. Accompanied by Robert Fergusson, Representative of the Australian Office, Dr. Keay engaged in in-depth discussions with NHRC commissioners on gender equality, women’s empowerment, Taiwan’s progress toward its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fundamental Act, and the potential of AI in preserving Indigenous languages.
NHRC Vice Chairperson Wang Yu-ling welcomed Dr. Keay’s visit, highlighting the shared commitment of Taiwan and Australia to universal democratic values. Vice Chairperson Wang referenced the latest Freedom in the World 2025 report by Freedom House, which ranks Australia at 95 and Taiwan at 94—second only to Japan’s 96 in Asia. Wang reaffirmed the NHRC’s commitment to upholding international human rights standards and strengthening protections while expressing hope for greater collaboration with Australia in advancing global human rights.
Dr. Keay underscored Australia’s longstanding commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, citing the Australian Office’s annual International Women’s Day events. She noted that while Taiwan and Australia share democratic principles and human rights values, they face similar challenges, including aging populations and the underrepresentation of women in AI-related fields.
Addressing the broader issue of gender disparity in science and technology, Dr. Keay stressed the importance of cultivating interest and participation from an early age through education. She acknowledged that AI development, while presenting challenges such as widening the digital divide for marginalized communities, also opening new doors for Indigenous language preservation. Citing Australia’s experience, she pointed out that the country’s Indigenous communities speak different Indigenous languages. Yet, the lack of generational transmission has led to the gradual disappearance of many languages and cultures. She added that Taiwan’s TAIDE generative AI initiative is a promising example of leveraging technology to support language preservation efforts.
Dr. Keay further emphasized that AI’s ultimate goal is customization. As hardware costs continue to decline, developing AI solutions tailored to diverse cultural needs will be a critical global challenge in the years ahead.
Several NHRC commissioners also voiced key concerns during the visit. Commissioner Lin Wen-cheng underscored the NHRC’s recent recommendations on the government’s draft AI Fundamental Act, emphasizing the need to integrate human rights perspectives. Commissioner Yeh Yi-jin highlighted the risk of Traditional Chinese being marginalized in AI language models. Commissioner Chi Hui-jung pointed to the ongoing gender divide in Taiwan’s higher education system, where men predominantly pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) while women are concentrated in the humanities. Lastly, Commissioner Upay Radiw Kanasaw praised Australia’s reconciliation efforts, which are symbolized by its three national flags.