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Academia Sinica President Chien-Jen Chen and Vice President Shin-Kun Peng met today (August 5) with Annie Lee, Chairperson of the Lee Teng-hui Foundation; Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao, Senior Advisor to the President; Yi-Shen Chen, President of Academia Historica; and representatives from the Institute for Information Industry (III). The participants exchanged views on AI sovereignty and its applications, the preservation of Taiwan’s historical and cultural materials, and the transmission of democratic memory, while exploring potential collaboration on the “Lee Teng-hui Memory Project.”

President Chen noted that AI offers new tools and applications for historical research, the archiving of historical and cultural materials, and for cultural preservation. He expressed hope that more research could be devoted to preserving and digitally interpreting Taiwan’s democratic historical materials based on reliable sources and rigorous scholarship, helping to pass on this valuable historical memory.

Chairperson Annie Lee explained that the concept of the “Lee Teng-hui Memory Project” builds on the Lee Teng-hui digital exhibition currently on display at the National Taiwan Library. The project draws on Academia Sinica’s expertise in the humanities and social sciences, linguistics, cognitive science, and information technology to collect oral histories and primary sources, build digital databases, and reconstruct networks of historical figures from the Lee Teng-hui era. Through digital technologies, the project aims to transform former President Lee’s ideas, decision-making processes, and related historical materials into verifiable and interactive resources for younger generations and civic education.

President Chen noted that former President Lee Teng-hui played a pivotal role in Taiwan’s democratization and that his ideas, decision-making processes, and related historical materials are of significant research value. President Chen expressed hope that Academia Sinica’s relevant research units will leverage their expertise to contribute to the preservation and study of these historical records.

During the meeting, participants also exchanged views on governance issues surrounding the digital reconstruction of historical figures using AI. They discussed the need to base such applications on reliable historical sources, respect the individuals concerned and their families, clearly disclose AI-generated content, and carefully define the scope of AI use. Participants agreed that such efforts should integrate historical research, data digitization, technology development, and ethical governance while balancing academic rigor, technological innovation, and public trust.