New Taipei City Plans to Use AI to Analyze Social Welfare Resources for Precise Allocation to Vulnerable Needs

Social Affairs Department Director Li Mei-chen today reported at the city council meeting on the achievements of the Love Platform's 8 years of operation, which has strengthened the social support network through public-private cooperation and digital governance, benefiting over 60 million people in 8 years.

Li Mei-chen stated that the platform integrates websites and diverse donation mechanisms, including credit cards, mobile payments, and convenience store channels, enhancing convenience and transparency. Statistics show that individual donations accounted for the highest proportion at 39%, followed by enterprises at 24%, groups at 20%, and religious organizations at 17%; welfare services accounted for the highest proportion of vulnerable care.

She said that during the COVID-19 (2019 Coronavirus Disease) pandemic, the platform played a key role, matching over NT$1.1 billion in epidemic prevention and livelihood resources, supporting 11 bureaus and departments in implementing 93 projects, covering home rapid tests, homeless shelter, and waiting meals, stabilizing social operations.

Li Mei-chen said that in the future, it will transform from passive matching to proactive prevention, and at the same time use the big data accumulated over 8 years to analyze demand gaps.

She told a Central News Agency reporter that in the past, it took half a year to a year to commission scholars to conduct research and analysis. Through precise analysis by artificial intelligence (AI), coupled with the practical experience and corrections of social workers, the time can be shortened, and suitable innovative solutions can be proposed for donors' reference, which also better meets the needs of recipients.

After listening, Mayor Hou Yu-ih stated that New Taipei City has a vast area and high social welfare needs, but the consolidated tax allocation is limited, and the per capita budget is the lowest among the six municipalities. Through the "Love Platform," various donations and materials are integrated to provide more comprehensive care for vulnerable groups, and transparency and integrity are emphasized, so that every resource can be precisely invested.

Hou Yu-ih stated, "Establishing a digital trust mechanism is very important. Only by upholding the government's integrity can we not forget every person who needs to be cared for." Using big data to analyze the needs of high-risk households and combining with enterprises to promote ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) to expand resource input can build a more resilient social support network. (Editor: Hsieh Ya-chu) 1150408