National Taipei University of Technology (NTUT) held its 2025–2026 Commencement Ceremony on June 13. In his remarks, President Jen Yi-Jun encouraged graduates to embrace the opportunities and responsibilities of an era shaped by rapid advances in AI and the global transition toward sustainability. He emphasized that the future world will need more than people who know how to use AI; it will need individuals with vision, sound judgment, and the courage to act. “AI can provide answers,” Jen noted, “but it cannot determine which questions are most worth solving. AI can improve efficiency, but it cannot assume responsibility for the choices we make.” He urged graduates to become not only users of technology but also creators of solutions and agents of change who help shape a better world.

The ceremony also featured remarks from Minister of Environment Peng Chi-Ming, Alumni Association President Chang Shan-Li, and Dr. Bao Hsiao-Po, a member of this year’s graduating class. Their speeches spanned topics ranging from technological innovation and sustainability responsibility to alumni legacy and humanistic values, collectively expressing the hope that the younger generation will uphold the spirit of NTUT and face the future with courage and determination.

Setting Out in the Age of AI: Learning Never Stops at Graduation

President Jen Yi-Jun stated that generation after generation of Taipei Tech members have upheld the school motto "Integrity, Simplicity, Professionalism, and Diligence," honing their professional skills through training that emphasizes both theory and practice to establish Taipei Tech's reputation as a "driving force for industry and a cradle of entrepreneurship." He mentioned that this year's graduates are at a critical juncture with the rapid rise of AI, standing at a turning point in an era where AI is evolving from a tool into a partner. Future workplace skills will change rapidly; a graduation certificate represents the completion of one stage of learning, not its end; it is rather the starting point for continuous self-growth. President Jen encouraged the students that in the stage of life with the greatest potential for growth, the accumulation of knowledge and time are often more important than money.

AI Can Provide Answers, but Only Humans can Judge Values

President Jen Yi-Jun explained that AI has become an essential learning assistant, allowing users to quickly acquire knowledge and explore new fields. However, he also cautioned that the real challenge posed by AI is not a lack of answers but an overabundance of them. Although AI can analyze data and generate solutions, it can neither determine which answer best aligns with human values nor assume responsibility for the consequences of those choices. President Jen encouraged graduates to set ambitious goals, focus on problems that truly improve society, and move forward with courage and conviction.

Facing Sustainability Challenges: The Responsibility of the New Generation

President Jen Yi-Jun noted that humanity stands at the dawn of the AI era. Though technological progress has made life convenient, it also places greater responsibility on the younger generation. Today’s youth not only benefit from technological advancements but must also confront global challenges such as climate change, energy transition, and sustainable development. He further emphasized that future leaders must consider how to create value while building a better future for the next generation.

Minister of Environment Peng Chi-Ming commended NTUT for its long-standing commitment to cultivating talent that combines discipline, practical skills, and innovation—an essential driving force behind Taiwan’s technological and industrial development. Drawing on his own career journey from academic research and entrepreneurship to public service, he encouraged graduates to discover what they are truly passionate about and to move forward with a grounded, practical mindset and a forward-looking, innovative vision, forging their own paths in life.

The Spirit of “Perseverance and Love” Endures: Technology Responds to the World’s Challenges

President Jen Yi-Jun shared the story of distinguished alumnus Charles Liang, founder of Supermicro, who has long confronted the challenges of his era through the guiding principles of “perseverance” and “love.” More than two decades ago, Liang began investing in the development of green computing technologies, focusing on improving server energy efficiency and reducing data center carbon emissions. Today, these technologies have become an important part of the global marketplace. President Jen interpreted “perseverance” as the determination to stay committed to one’s direction even before results become visible, and “love” as the original intention of using technology to respond to societal and environmental needs. He emphasized that technology and humanity can advance together to drive meaningful global progress.

Alumni Legacy and Diverse AI Applications Highlight NTUT’s Educational Strengths

Chang Shan-Li, President of the NTUT Alumni Association, extended congratulations on behalf of the association to all graduates. He noted that NTUT provides students with far more than a diploma—it equips them with the ability to identify problems, solve problems, and create value. He encouraged graduates to continue cultivating a strong capacity for learning, maintain a hands-on, practice-oriented spirit, and cherish the support and connections they share with their alma mater, faculty, family, and peers. He added that the Alumni Association will continue to serve as a steadfast support system for all graduates, accompanying them as they confidently move into the next stage of life.

At the commencement ceremony, Hsiao-Po Bao, a doctoral graduate from the Department of Business Administration in NTUT’s College of Management, shared his personal journey of persisting through academic challenges and life’s lowest points to complete his studies. He emphasized that true growth comes from resilience forged in moments of pressure and adversity. Bao has long been engaged in music composition and the cultural and creative industries. In recent years, he has further transformed his longing for his late daughter into research on AI, digital avatars, and voice and image reconstruction technologies. His work demonstrates how technology can respond to emotion and memory in meaningful ways, while reflecting NTUT’s achievements in advancing AI technology R&D and expanding its applications across diverse fields.

He also encouraged fellow graduates, noting that despite rapid change and future uncertainty, technological progress must always remain grounded in human warmth and love at its core. He urged graduates to cherish the support of their families, teachers, and friends and to move forward with resilience, gratitude, and courage.

Step into the World with Confidence, Curiosity, Responsibility, and Compassion

At the conclusion of the ceremony, President Jen Yi-Jun offered four lines of encouragement to the Class of 2026: “Begin your journey with confidence, move forward with learning, face the world with responsibility, and walk through life with love.”

He noted that confidence enables individuals to fulfill themselves, learning fosters growth, responsibility allows one to contribute to society, and love gives deeper meaning to success. President Jen expressed his hope that graduates will not only become outstanding engineers, entrepreneurs, and researchers but also individuals willing to embrace challenges, solve meaningful problems, take responsibility, and create a better future for the next generation—carrying with them the pride and conviction of NTUT as they boldly step into the world.