TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Founder of the world’s largest contract semiconductor manufacturing company, TSMC (台積電), Morris Chang (張忠謀), said that the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) will be more disruptive than the advent of the internet, during an interview with Economic Daily News.

The adoption of AI will increase both unemployment and inequality over the next 25 years, according to Chang, who called for a host of government policies and education efforts to deal with the effects.

To make the most of the future, Chang advised the youth to develop good learning habits, and to foster curiosity.

On the other hand, Chang is optimistic about the future of the integrated circuit industry, as these electronic components feature heavily in AI products, as well as other emerging technologies including 5G and Internet of Things (IoT).

In regards to the U.S.-China trade war, Chang believes the dispute is part of a broader rivalry spurred by China’s growing strength, but he believes the trade war will be resolved as the costs are too great on both sides.

On reflection of his time as Taiwan’s envoy to the APEC Leaders Meeting, which was held in Papua New Guinea from Nov. 12-18, Chang said that the event was noticeably less friendly than when he previously represented Taiwan in 2006.