Asia is rich. And it is heading for the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in history. As the first generation of high-net-worth individuals reaches retirement, they seek ways to grow and pass on their fortunes. Watch: youtu.be/W-Rcz-W_EM8

US$55 million a day — that’s how much Taiwan could lose if all its undersea cable connections are cut, whether due to natural damage or deliberate sabotage. Japan is in a stronger position, though vulnerabilities remain. Watch: youtu.be/vJTjHuEvjP8 Featuring: Athena Tong / @athenaktong.bsky.social

Few understand how TSMC rose to become the most critical company in the global tech economy. We get rare insight from veteran semiconductor journalist and author Owen Hung-Wen Lin. Watch: youtu.be/v1lZNSAVo7I

A live orchestra plays as visuals come to life — drawn by elderly audience members. Within seconds, their sketches are transformed by AI into moving images on screen, synced to the music. Watch:

Decarbonization isn’t optional anymore. Can algorithms really help clean up the world’s dirtiest industries? Featuring: Debbie Chien Gajkowski (Vulcanest) and Victoria Huang-Doniat (National Science and Technology Council) Watch: youtu.be/VV0EcZVCoFc

Ever heard of micromobility? This new wave of urban microcars is challenging how we move every day, with the potential to replace traditional cars in parts of Asia in the near term. Watch: youtu.be/gJFWn8huhe0 Featuring: Ryan Yang (Lean Mobility Japan Inc.) and James Anthony Tan (TEASK)

EVA Air cabin crew and labor union member Helen Lee says there is a ‘toxic’ culture within the airline. Watch: youtu.be/seQRK7Oo7jY

The Indian state of Gujarat has bold semiconductor ambitions. In fact, it has its own electronics mission in Taiwan. The mission’s goal is wielding partnerships to build a full supply chain in India. Watch: youtu.be/pkHTZFzPilA Guest: Rohit Naik (Gujarat State Electronics Mission)

TSMC will soon produce its 3nm chips in Japan — some of its most advanced. Semiconductor engineer turned venture capitalist Simon Fang explains why Japan is uniquely positioned and why most countries shouldn’t attempt to build their own semiconductor industries. Watch:

We break down Greenland’s untapped resources that the US, China and Europe are competing for — and look at what these geopolitical developments may mean for Taiwan and the ‘silicon shield’ provided by its semiconductor industry. Watch: youtu.be/qa4JiR3fKb8

Gujarat is rapidly building up semiconductor output capacity. But as reports of surrounding infrastructure delays surface, is Gujarat doing enough to keep up with India’s fast-tracked chip mission? Featuring: Rohit Naik (head of Gujarat State in Taiwan) Watch: youtu.be/yv3YEjT21gc

What can YouTube cofounder Steve Chen tell us about taking on the algorithm? Watch: youtu.be/8Nr0CKO1eeA

A team at ITRI (Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute) is developing a new generation of immunotherapy that could reshape oncology. Featuring: Eric Y. Chuang and Min-Yuan Chou (Biomedical Tech and Device Research Labs) Watch: youtu.be/_8qXDYdBGM4

TSMC is a survivor. The Samsung-led ‘kill Taiwan’ plan wiped out the country’s DRAM and display panel industries – and semiconductors were next. Featuring: Owen Hung-Wen Lin Watch: youtu.be/5mNHpjHiYCQ

Millions of people have already found their perfect love — in AI companions. These ‘frictionless’ connections are replacing human relationships and intimacy, just as their designers intended. Watch:

As energy insecurity grows, Japan and Taiwan are finding new reasons to lean on each other. But according to our guest, Japan has yet to fully realize the potential of this partnership. Watch: youtu.be/czNDP_4ixr8 Featuring: Seijiro Takeshita Host: Divya Gopalan

The US-Israel war with Iran could economically devastate Japan and Taiwan, as 90% of Japan’s and 60% of Taiwan’s oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Watch the full conversation: youtu.be/g-5WTJPofAg Featuring: @seijirotakeshita

As banks and financial institutions increasingly throw weight behind stablecoins, how soon could we find them in our (digital) wallets? With: Chung Chien-Ping (Taipei Tech) and Ben Charoenwong (INSEAD). Watch: youtu.be/rXqAdE7jXmg

Smartphone case producer RhinoShield was born out of a lab accident at Cambridge. Now, the Taiwan-based company wants to mine plastic for its products — from the oceans. Cofounder and CEO Eric Wang shares his and the company’s vision. Watch: youtu.be/B6y-BOhDzS8

People are less likely to question AI fakes when they align with their views. That, according to our guest, is the main danger of AI-produced disinformation. Fighting fake AI-generated messages has become a race between those creating them and those trying to debunk them.

An average Taiwanese person pays very little for health insurance. Yet this low-cost system ranks among the best in the world. But as Taiwan becomes a super-aged society, can its National Health Insurance (NHI) system survive the increased burden? Watch:

What’s the tradwife trend really trying to bring back? 🎙️ Steven Roberts (Monash University), Jess Reia (University of Virginia) and Josh Sargent (Gen-Z commentator). 📺 youtu.be/VLJUmcd3lpw

Misogyny is having a renaissance – and it’s fueled by the internet. 🎙️ Steven Roberts (Monash University), Jess Reia (University of Virginia) and Josh Sargent (Gen-Z commentator). 📺 youtu.be/lzGn525hfY4

Acquitted Solomon Islands offical Celsus Talifilu tells CONNECTED his side of the story – that China’s presence is for political gain and how China’s ‘sign now, think later’ infrastructure financing could leave the next generation footing the bill. 📺 youtu.be/Oxyox25FRDw

From AI species recognition to real time environmental monitoring, our guests unpack the crucial role of tech and data in making nature count on the balance sheet. 🎙️ Ryan Sarsfield (senior advisor, EPIC) and Tsai Ming-Jer (director, NTU Experimental Forest) 📺 youtu.be/473u1o3skOw

Biodiversity credits speak the language of capitalism to protect habitats. That’s the idea, anyway. But can biodiversity credits really make a difference? 🎙️ Ryan Sarsfield (senior advisor, EPIC) and Tsai Ming-Jer (director, NTU Experimental Forest) 📺 youtu.be/e14qLqyhRYk

Pile ‘em high, sell ‘em cheap. That’s a common mindset for Taiwan’s tour operators working with indigenous communities. How can the industry put more profit - and agency - into the hands of these communities? 🎙️ Wagi Payan (NDHU) and Cheryl Robbins (Taiwan-based tour guide) 📺 youtu.be/4s1wPk3-IVc

Are Taiwan’s tourism rules are ripping off indigenous communities? They allow operators to take significant cuts of profits and leave communities to deal with the environmental and social impact of tourism. 🎙️ Wagi Payan (NDHU) and Cheryl Robbins (Taiwan-based tour guide) 📺 youtu.be/tWqp5I6T0wE

Happy Lunar New Year from us all at CONNECTED on TaiwanPlus

Edtech AI startups promote themselves on turbocharging outcomes for teachers and students. But can they deliver on this promise? 🎙️ Camila Sáenz (founder of Tuteemi) and Christian Van Der Henst (cofounder of Platzi) 📺 youtu.be/v3YnwCFPRNI

EdTech is revolutionizing learning – and it’s racking up big numbers. But do these platforms actually improve learning outcomes? 🎙️ Camila Sáenz (founder of Tuteemi) and Christian Van Der Henst (cofounder of Platzi) 📺 youtu.be/USeFT3lSfbE

How can Taiwan turn its strategic position at the center of AI and hardware development into a global startup advantage? 🎙️ Eli David Rokah (StartupBlink) and Eric Fan (Taiwan Institute of Economic Research) 📺 youtu.be/YHO32ABBfDk

Taiwan’s startup ecosystem is growing. But why is it falling in global rankings? 🎙️ Eli David Rokah (StartupBlink) and Eric Fan (Taiwan Institute of Economic Research) 📺 youtu.be/6EZyyxU7dKM

AI-powered rehab and elderly care are all the buzz, but can that momentum turn into widespread solutions anytime soon? Watch: youtu.be/iqz_TIoG6P8 Featuring: Ray Chen (LongGood Meditech) & Ilia Borishchev (Vibraint)

Rehab and elderly care are getting a reboot with advances in technology, including brain-computer interfaces (BCI), VR, gamified rehab and robots. Watch: youtu.be/BqE6gdeu754 Featuring: Ray Chen (LongGood Meditech) & Ilia Borishchev (Vibraint)

India wants to be in space, and not just for faster satellite internet at home, but for defense, better rural connectivity and finally — decent in-flight Wi-Fi. Hughes Communications India’s Shivaji Chatterjee helps us map who’s building what in space.

How did Phoenix land TSMC’s historic chip investment and turn itself into America’s semiconductor hub? Christine Mackay, CEO of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, recounts the pivotal meeting with TSMC officials in Taipei and the years of planning that followed. 📺 youtu.be/OYL7a-bgCvo

A carbon fee: great for the environment but bad for business, right? Not necessarily. But it’s about more than just trade… 🎙️ Freddie Höglund (CEO, European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan) 📺 youtu.be/qtN1LLikNb8

How can we compel businesses to reduce their carbon emissions? Well, Taiwan’s government is rolling out a new carbon fee system in 2026. But how ready is industry in Taiwan to decarbonize? 🎙️ Easter Huang (Chairman, Taiwan’s NABC) 📺 youtu.be/vQZ44lEQVjA

China’s Fujian aircraft carrier and its EMALS catapult launch system could reshape how Beijing projects power across the region. Watch: youtu.be/dqWRT_3oZbM Featuring: Kamlesh Kumar Agnihotri (National Maritime Foundation) and Ying Yu Lin (Tamkang University)

China’s Fujian aircraft carrier is one of the most technologically advanced additions to the PLA Navy. But how close is it to real combat capability? Watch: youtu.be/F05anQTIU8Y Featuring: Kamlesh Kumar Agnihotri (National Maritime Foundation) and Ying Yu Lin (Tamkang University)

Our personal data holds value. But as collection methods become increasingly widespread and stealthy, what power do we have to say no? 🎙️ Max Schrems, European Center for Digital Rights and Chou Kuan-Ju, TAHR 📺 youtu.be/R3ydm9teaE0

Data is the new oil. Corporations and governments are racing to accumulate. As Taiwan finds itself caught between larger powers’ data regimes, how can it safeguard its administration and citizens? 🎙️ Max Schrems, European Center for Digital Rights and Chou Kuan-Ju, TAHR 📺 youtu.be/oAkRnzM7jCs

Demons, destiny and Bollywood-style dance numbers all meet in Demon Hunters, the latest Taiwan-India movie coproduction. Coproducers Cindy Shyu and Gayathiri Guliani give us insights into why the world is ready for more international movie collabs. 📺 youtu.be/idHw_VewboE

As Japan plans to derisk ties to its largest trading partner without completely decoupling, it looks to Taiwan as a like-minded neighbor and economic partner. 🎙️ Akira Igata, project lecturer at the University of Tokyo and Tsai Hsi-Hsun, professor at Tamkang University. 📺 youtu.be/gBODX8Ngwvg

Prime minister Takaichi Sanae is on a mission to revive Japan’s economy. Will her strategic US$135B stimulus package yield the numbers she’s banking on? 🎙️ Akira Igata, project lecturer at the University of Tokyo and Tsai Hsi-Hsun, professor at Tamkang University. 📺 youtu.be/dloFRwl-wnI

Biased data can skew AI-driven tools in the recruitment process, putting POGM, neurodivergent people and others at a disadvantage. So, is AI in hiring really unfair? 🎙️ Laura Dean, chartered occupational psychologist and Will Lin, director at Michael Page Taiwan 📺 youtu.be/UTSKvsQQpF0

Personality tests are found not only in the pages of magazines, but also in the recruitment processes of most Fortune 500 companies. But do they actually work? 🎙️ Laura Dean, chartered occupational psychologist and Will Lin, director at Michael Page Taiwan 📺 youtu.be/d1513JtGBSw

TSMC has announced plans to further expand in Phoenix, Arizona, including a fourth fabrication plant and new chip packaging facilities. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego (@mayorgallego.bsky.social) spoke with us in an exclusive interview during her visit to Taipei. Watch: youtu.be/Pp5FPhrxsLY

Can you survive a 30-second elevator pitch? At America’s largest tech event, CES, Taiwanese startup founders learn fast that storytelling matters as much as technology. Watch: youtu.be/LE_hpD2XAlo Featuring: Daniel Yu (MetAI) & Andrew Lombard (Tesoro VC)