Output
1) 1-Day Conference
The one-day conference in Taipei, being held no later than July 31 2026, aims to promote the policy measures and best practices on how to unleash SME growth potential through innovative AI applications. Chinese Taipei is committed to designing a content-rich agenda that also allows ample time for interaction and exchange, ensuring optimal outcomes through effective use of both APEC funding and self-funded resources. The draft agenda is aligned with the objectives of the project and the session is designed as follows, which may include: (1) Deepening SMEs' understanding of AI knowledge and its application scenarios; (2) Facilitating exchange of AI policies and solutions for SMEs; (3) Promoting AI adoption among SMEs; (4) Strengthening SMEs' practical capabilities in AI applications through applied learning.
Representatives from the public sector and stakeholders from the private sector, including multinational corporations, SMEs, and start-ups, will share their experiences in leveraging digital innovation and AI applications to drive development across the APEC region. Speakers and experts recommended by member economies will be invited to provide insights, demonstrate their practices, and share relevant experiences.
The selection criteria for speakers/experts may include: 1) Representatives from associations in developed and developing economies that actively promote SME development through AI adoption; 2) Representatives from pilot enterprises with practical experience in integrating AI into their products and services; 3) Representatives from academia with in-depth knowledge of digital technology trends, AI applications, and SME transformation; 4) Representatives from the public sector with substantial experience in collaborating with the private sector to empower SMEs in adopting digital technologies, including AI, to enhance business operations.
Each session is expected to be delivered by different speakers. Chinese Taipei will integrate experts from various fields, utilizing both APEC funding and self-funded resources, to enrich participants’ understanding of diverse applied cases. Meanwhile, ample time will be reserved for Q&A and discussions in each session to foster interaction between speakers and participants, facilitate knowledge exchange, and support the dissemination of key insights.
The anticipated participants are expected to represent the following types of enterprises:
1) Enterprises in the manufacturing sector committed to improving efficiency, reducing costs, and strengthening operational resilience through digital and AI technologies; 2) Enterprises in the commercial services sector focused on enhancing customer experience, operational efficiency, and market competitiveness.
Participants may include employees, business owners, or managerial officials responsible for strategic planning and operations management. The APEC Non-Member Participation Guidelines will apply to this event. To ensure the quality and attendance rate of the event, regular consultations will be conducted with the Program Director (PD), and a General Information Circular will be disseminated to member economies to invite recommendations for potential speakers and participants. In addition, recognizing female entrepreneurs as a primary target audience for this event, the drafting of the agenda will appropriately incorporate gender perspectives.
A post-event survey will be conducted to collect participants’ feedback and assess the quality of the event. The survey will include, but not be limited to, questions addressing the three outcomes listed in Item 11 on Monitoring and Evaluation. Furthermore, the survey will ask participants to identify or write down best practices or recommendations related to the application of AI and digital innovation that they consider most relevant and applicable to their own economies.
2) Research Report
The report will be distributed as an APEC publication with a minimum of 20 pages excluding annexes. Its target audience will include startups and SMEs seeking practical insights into AI adoption, women entrepreneurs aiming to enhance their digital competitiveness, and public sector officials responsible for SME development and innovation policies. Additional target audiences will include corporations, industry associations, and employees receiving on-the-job training in related fields. It will highlight the value and strategic importance of AI applications across different business transformation processes. In addition, considering that many SMEs face the need to adopt AI technologies as part of their digital transformation, understanding how to select appropriate AI solutions and implement internal adoption processes has become a crucial capability for enhancing SME competitiveness.
The report will employ inductive analysis to collect three to five best practices of AI applications and extract essential factors in successful business models and policy instruments for promoting AI adoption among SMEs. Sources for these best practices may include research conducted by the project team, consultations with expert networks, empirical cases from member economies, and discussions from the event. SMEs are expected to benefit from the application of these best practices and adoption experiences.
The preliminary structure and chapters of the report are designed as follows: Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Best Practices of AI Applications; Chapter 3: Analysis and Findings; Chapter 4: Conclusion and Recommendations.
The analysis will also draw on sources including, but not limited to, studies related to AI adoption strategies, SME digital transformation, and research by international organizations such as the United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), World Bank, and APEC member economies.
The report is expected to disseminate the collected best practices and knowledge from member economies, supporting SMEs in building long- term strategic capacity for AI adoption.
Outcome
1) Disseminated knowledge of AI adoption: The project will drive the widespread enhancement of understanding and application of AI technologies among SMEs in the APEC region. By providing guidance and best practices through an event and a report, the project will support SMEs in identifying feasible AI use cases and adoption strategies that match their operational needs. This will result in the dissemination of knowledge on how AI can optimize business operations, product development, and service delivery. It will also help SMEs differentiate their offerings and enhance market competitiveness. Overall, this outcome directly contributes to the project objective of promoting best practices and deepening SMEs' understanding of AI adoption.
2) Enhanced capacity of developing AI solutions and strategies: The project will strengthen the development of practical AI adoption strategies for SMEs across the APEC region. SMEs often encounter difficulties in selecting suitable AI solutions and managing internal implementation processes. Through applied learning activities, participants will gain insights from successful case studies and acquire the knowledge necessary to plan and implement AI solutions effectively. This outcome is expected to accelerate the adoption of AI technologies among SMEs.
3) Strengthened collaboration and networks: The project will foster collaboration and partnerships among SMEs, industry stakeholders, academia, and policymakers on AI-related issues. Through the project’s activities and outputs, SMEs will have opportunities to engage with stakeholders from industries, institutes, and government agencies, facilitating dialogue on AI policies, solutions, and best practices. Strengthened collaboration and expanded networks, including public-private partnerships, will enhance the inclusiveness and strategic relevance of the project, and support long-term efforts to promote AI adoption among SMEs.
Beneficiaries
Direct beneficiaries:
- Startups and SMEs: These enterprises will gain crucial knowledge of the latest AI technologies and industry best practices, enabling them to implement AI solutions effectively. This will enhance their operational efficiency, foster innovation, and increase their competitiveness and resilience in the digital economy.
- Female Entrepreneurs: Female entrepreneurs, who play a key role in driving AI applications and digital transformation, will benefit from this initiative by gaining access to up-to-date AI knowledge and practical tools. This will open new business opportunities for them, fostering a more inclusive business environment.
- Public Sector: Officials responsible for SMEs and economic affairs across various economies will receive valuable insights into AI policy development and implementation. This knowledge will support the creation of adaptive AI policies at the local level, aiding in the digital transformation and competitiveness enhancement of SMEs.
Secondary beneficiaries:
Corporations, industry associations, startups, SMEs, and on-the-job training employees in relevant fields will benefit from consulting the project’s APEC research report, even if not directly involved.
