“A breeze begins at the tips of green reeds; waves are formed between ripples.” This quote reflects the importance of fundamentals and attention to detail - believing that great achievements stem from steady accumulation through small actions. Guided by this life philosophy, Taiwan Tech Distinguished Alumnus and Chairman of Chunghwa Telecom, Chih-Cheng Chien, began his career at the grassroots level and steadily advanced along the path of a professional manager. With extensive experience in the telecommunications industry and business management, he has led Chunghwa Telecom to maintain its position as a market leader, supporting government policies and driving industrial upgrades through communication technologies. Under his leadership, the company has received numerous accolades and top industry rankings. As the world rides the wave of AI innovation, Chien envisions Chunghwa Telecom as both an enabler and co-creator in the AI era - advancing the industry into a new age of intelligent transformation.

Taiwan Tech Alumni Services Office interviews 2025 Distinguished Alumnus – Chunghwa Telecom Chairman Chih-Cheng Chien (Ph.D. in Electronic Engineering, Class of 1994).

A childhood of constant relocation fostered adaptability and communication skills

Born in Chiayi, Chih-Cheng Chien experienced frequent relocations during his upbringing due to his father's job, attending several schools in Kaohsiung before his family eventually settled in Taipei. These transitions and the need to constantly adapt helped him develop strong adaptability and communication skills. Chien admitted that, as a student, he had no clear vision for his future until his mandatory military service, during which he worked in the R&D department at the Chunghwa Telecom Research Institute. That experience marked the beginning of his 40-year journey with Chunghwa Telecom and gave him a true sense of belonging.

After entering the workforce, Chien realized the importance of lifelong learning and wanted to apply his knowledge directly to real-world practice. He chose to pursue a Ph.D. at Taiwan Tech (then known as the National Taiwan Institute of Technology), drawn by its pragmatic academic culture and emphasis on hands-on learning. At a time when AI was far from mainstream, he boldly selected knowledge extraction in artificial intelligence as the focus of his research.

“I believed AI was the future. I may have been ahead of the curve at the time, but 30 years later, my decision has been validated,” Chien said. During his research, he also developed skills in psychology and statistical analysis to better engage with experts and extract core insights - skills that later became essential tools for leading teams and making strategic decisions.

Gratitude to mentors and living out the spirit of Taiwan Tech’s Motto

Chih-Cheng Chien believes that earning his Ph.D. in just over four years was not due to innate talent, but rather to the extra time and effort he put in - an experience that was challenging yet deeply fulfilling. He expressed heartfelt thanks to his advisor, Professor Cheng-Hsin Ho, who not only provided dedicated academic guidance but also served as a role model through his sincere and earnest attitude. “To this day, our lab group still gets together with Professor Ho every year on Teacher’s Day. We’re all truly grateful to him”, Chien shared.

The Taiwan Tech motto, “Diligence and Integrity”, also left a lasting impact on Chien’s professional outlook. He recalled that both the guidance from professors and interactions with peers during his studies reflected the spirit of being meticulous in work and sincere in conduct. The practical, humble, and sincere mindset he developed at Taiwan Tech has become the foundation of his work ethic and personal values.

From R&D to leadership: cross-disciplinary experience broadens perspective

“At Chunghwa Telecom, you don’t need to leave the company to explore different career paths”, says Chih-Cheng Chien. Starting out as a junior researcher, he gradually took on roles across the company - including at headquarters, the research institute, branch offices, the telecom academy, and the overseas new business office. This horizontal rotation across departments allowed him to build a well-rounded management perspective encompassing technology, business, education, and international markets.

“Things can be managed, but people need to be led. Management focuses on methods, while leadership requires guidance and communication”, Chih-Cheng Chien emphasized. He believes that no matter how smart a person is, achieving great things is impossible without a strong team. When the right methods are in place and there's a cohesive, motivated team to carry them out, each step forward can become a significant leap. These insights have been a tremendous asset to him in leading corporate teams.

Dual transformation through empowerment and co-creation: “Chunghwa AI” powers the future

Under the leadership of Chih-Cheng Chien, Chunghwa Telecom has launched its transformation strategy with the vision of “Chunghwa AI: Powering the Future”. Chien noted that with the rapid advancements in computing power and storage technology in recent years, along with the rise of generative AI, Chunghwa Telecom is actively leveraging AI to enhance three core areas: intelligent customer service, streamlined administrative processes, and predictive maintenance of equipment. These efforts aim to reduce labor costs, increase efficiency, and boost overall competitiveness.

Chien emphasized that Chunghwa Telecom is positioning itself as both an enabler and co-creator in the AI space - offering customized computing power rental and AI application development services for businesses and government agencies. Through this approach, the company supports digital transformation across industries and is building a comprehensive smart ecosystem.

Strengthening industry-academia collaboration with Taiwan Tech: encouraging the next generation to be well-prepared

“Academia often moves ahead of the industry - its research directions can help us explore future possibilities,” said Chih-Cheng Chien, highlighting the critical role of universities in AI research. Chunghwa Telecom has been actively collaborating with institutions like Taiwan Tech, commissioning forward-looking research in fields such as AI, telecommunications, mobile networks, and microwave technology. “Taiwan Tech is undoubtedly a leader in the telecom field. Our graduates don’t lack opportunities - the only worry is whether they’re ready for them,” Chien remarked with a smile. He praised Taiwan Tech students as self-disciplined, diligent, and well-grounded - qualities highly valued by employers. “Every time we try to hire Taiwan Tech graduates, they’re already snapped up by tech companies!”

Chien encourages students to build a strong foundation in core knowledge and participate in industry collaboration projects during their studies. This, he said, helps them transition smoothly into the workplace. He firmly believes: “When flowers bloom, butterflies will come; when you're ready, opportunities will find you.” With consistent effort and preparation, success will follow naturally. This philosophy has guided Chien throughout his 40-year telecom career, step by step forging a path of innovation for Taiwan’s telecom industry.