The Southern Taiwan Science Park Administration released its latest statistics on September 29, 2026, indicating that the total revenue of the STSP reached NT$1.773908 trillion in the first half of 2026, a substantial increase of 28.57% compared to the same period in 2025. This growth is primarily attributed to the continued expansion of the global artificial intelligence (AI) boom and the strong leading role of the integrated circuit industry. Among the six major industries, the integrated circuit industry recorded a revenue of NT$1.560987 trillion, a growth rate of 30.22%, largely benefiting from the massive demand for high-performance computing (HPC) and AI applications. Meanwhile, the computer and peripheral industry grew by 40.6%, and the precision machinery industry also saw a growth of 44.87%.

This data not only reflects the core position of Taiwan's high-tech industry within the supply chain but also demonstrates that global investment in semiconductor and AI infrastructure continues to intensify.

At the same time, the Central Asian region is undergoing a significant strategic transformation, becoming a focal point of global geopolitical and economic attention. According to Reuters, South Korea held a summit in September 2026, placing critical minerals and energy cooperation at the heart of its engagement with Central Asian nations, marking a new phase in relations between Seoul and Central Asia.

Furthermore, according to research by the CACI Analyst, educational mobility patterns in Central Asia are changing. The Kazakh government is actively promoting internationalization with a goal of attracting 150,000 international students by 2029, indicating that the region is shifting from a traditional source of talent to a regional education hub. Uzbekistan is also showing a trend of two-way interaction in cross-border education and policy. At the European Union level, the European Parliament signed an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) with Uzbekistan in May 2026 and discussed the prevention of cross-border organized crime and terrorism, highlighting the increasing importance of Central Asia in international regulations and security cooperation.

Despite the positive trends in STSP economic data and Central Asian regional development, concerns regarding technological development have also surfaced. The tech media outlet Techbang cited multinational research suggesting that generative artificial intelligence (LLM) could be viewed as a "cognitive virus." Over-reliance on AI for "outsourcing" thought processes may lead to the degradation of human cognitive abilities. The research team warns that although AI technology has rapidly permeated culture due to its powerful utility, humans must enhance their "cognitive immunity" through active critical thinking to defend their right to autonomous thought.

This perspective contrasts with the description of strong AI demand in the STSP revenue report; the former emphasizes the explosive growth of the industrial economy, while the latter warns of the social and cognitive risks behind the widespread adoption of technology. Currently, specific quantitative indicators regarding the impact of AI on human cognition remain to be verified by academia, and it is not yet possible to determine the extent of its long-term negative impact on the quality of the global workforce.

The operational growth of the STSP has directly driven the expansion of Taiwan's high-tech industry and further solidified its key position in the global AI supply chain. For Central Asia, policy interventions from South Korea and the EU will help in the development of the region's critical minerals and the upgrading of its education industry, thereby influencing the stability of the global energy supply chain. However, these developments are not isolated; the growth of the global tech industry and the development of Central Asian resources are both highly dependent on the influx of AI and digital tools. If the "cognitive virus" effect expands further in the future, it could affect the innovation capabilities of global high-tech talent, thereby posing a potential challenge to the long-term competitiveness of tech clusters like the STSP.

Current information indicates that the growth of the STSP is mainly benefiting from a surge in hardware and computing demand, while the changes in Central Asia lean toward structural adjustments in geopolitical and educational policies. Although the two are in different geographical dimensions, both are driven by the global wave of digital transformation. It should be noted that the STSP revenue growth data represents concrete industrial performance, whereas the warning regarding the AI "cognitive virus" belongs to the realm of academic and socio-psychological analysis. Equating industrial growth directly with social progress or over-exaggerating AI risks may both overlook the multifaceted nature of technological development.

Furthermore, whether the education and energy policies in Central Asia can be successfully translated into substantive economic growth will still depend on subsequent geopolitical stability and the effectiveness of international cooperation.

Future observation will focus on three aspects: First, whether the STSP's revenue performance in the second half of the year can sustain the growth momentum driven by AI; second, whether the policy layouts of South Korea and the EU in Central Asia will further trigger global supply chain reliance on and competition for Central Asian critical minerals; and finally, whether academic research on the "cognitive virus" will prompt global policymakers to re-examine AI education and usage norms. These variables will collectively determine the future direction of the global tech industry and regional development, and are worthy of continued tracking.