The Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emerging Technology (DSET) announced in September 2024 the appointment of Dr. Jeremy Chih-Cheng Chang as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Dr. Chang joined DSET in late 2023 as the head of the Economic Security Group (formerly DSET-SEMI) and has now been promoted to CEO.
Dr. Chang holds a Ph.D. in Law from Kyoto University and an LL.M. from Cornell University. He has served as an assistant professor at Kyoto University and a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard University’s Fairbank Center. Before returning to Taiwan, Dr. Chang worked at Japan’s Science and Technology Agency (JST), focusing on legal research and risk management in sensitive technology controls and economic security.
“The Youngs Got Much to Offer”
Reflecting on his decision to return to Taiwan and join DSET, Dr. Chang explained that during his time working with Japan’s Cabinet Office and national think tanks, he participated in international meetings with the UN, OECD, G7, and U.S.-Japan bilateral discussions. He observed how Japan, as a G7 power, used its policy expertise to shape geopolitical agendas and secure national interests.
However, Dr. Chang, as a Taiwanese, often found it bittersweet to attend these meetings as part of the Japanese delegation, particularly amid growing geopolitical tensions surrounding Taiwan’s semiconductor industry and China’s military drills around Taiwan following Nancy Pelosi’s visit.
“The turning point for my return was during COVID-19,” Dr. Chang said. “Watching discussions about potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait, I knew it was time to return and contribute to Taiwan.”
Dr. Chang emphasized the need for Taiwan to engage in global policy debates, especially regarding the “Silicon Shield” and the “Hollowing Out of Taiwan” theories. He believes Taiwan must establish a strong technology policy think tank to safeguard its national interests. “Our generation has unique experiences to offer, and with more Taiwanese engaging with prominent global think tanks, we aim to foster international collaboration and promote Taiwan’s ‘Track 1.5 Diplomacy.’”
Achievements and International Collaboration
Within a year, DSET has established strong connections with key think tanks in Japan and South Korea. These include the Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of Tokyo, the Japanese economic security think tank Institute of Geoeconomics, South Korea’s governmental think tank The Korea Trade Security Administration, and the Institute for Future Strategy at Seoul National University. Additionally, DSET has engaged with U.S. partners, maintaining ties with Chris Miller, author of *Chip War*, as well as with CSIS, the RAND Corporation, and Georgetown University’s CSET. Discussions are ongoing with these partners regarding further cooperation.
In partnership with the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), DSET co-hosted a forum where it presented Taiwan’s economic security framework to U.S. policymakers and scholars, marking the start of further collaboration. “Through the efforts of Dr. Chang and our talented researchers, we aim to enhance Taiwan’s influence on global technology policy,” said DSET Director Wen-Ling Tu.
【For more】
- DSET attended an economic security forum in Washington, D.C., advocating for the inclusion of Taiwan in international multilateral agreements.
- Chris Miller, the author of “Chip Wars”, Discusses with DSET’s Semiconductors Experts on Techno-Geopolitics
- DSET Researcher Jeremy Chih-Cheng Chang Invited to Speak at Seoul Forum Commemorating the Expansion and Renaming of the Korea Trade Security Administration
Expanding ‘Track 1.5 Technology Diplomacy’ as Next Step
Dr. Chang outlined DSET’s future goals, highlighting its international team and research focus. After a year of operation, DSET has reorganized into four core groups: Economic Security, Sustainability, National Security, and Democratic Governance.
The Economic Security Group will continue research on Taiwan’s semiconductor industry and key technology controls to safeguard economic security. The Climate Resilience and Sustainability Group will focus on Taiwan’s energy and sociotechnical transitions to achieve its Net-Zero goals and enhance climate resilience. The Democratic Governance Group will address the impact of emerging technologies like AI on global democracy. The National Security Group will strengthen dual-use technology supply chains and enhance defense collaboration with allies.
DSET Director Wen-Ling Tu acknowledged that while the path ahead for fostering international relations remains challenging, the team will continue to innovate and build new opportunities. Moving forward, DSET will deepen its collaborative research with international think tanks and continue to recruit Taiwanese technology policy experts both at home and abroad. By enhancing its ‘Track 1.5 Diplomacy,’ DSET aims to expand Taiwan’s contributions not only in technology and economic spheres but also in democracy and sustainable development on the global stage.