Sinotech GM Hsin-Yuan Yu on Digital Transformation, Procurement Rules, and Professional Liability Insurance Reform

The Taipei Base Structural Engineers Association published an interview with Hsin-Yuan Yu, General Manager of Sinotech Engineering Consultants. Yu detailed the firm's digital transformation initiatives, including establishing a centralized knowledge management platform connecting drawings and contracts with an AI search engine, alongside digital governance protocols to ensure verifiable outputs. He stressed that while AI assists in repetitive tasks such as document review, error checking, and schedule tracking, ultimate technical judgment remains with licensed engineers. Yu also addressed public procurement rules, arguing that mandatory agency approval and affidavits for AI use are overly restrictive, recommending that agencies ease these requirements and evaluate digital capabilities in tenders. Furthermore, he urged amending Article 20 of the Act Governing Engineering Technical Consulting Firms to transition professional liability insurance from project-based policies to company-wide annual coverage, addressing gaps caused by inadequate coverage amounts and expired terms.

Key takeaways

• Sinotech deployed a unified knowledge management platform integrating engineering documents and project drawings with an AI search engine to streamline routine workflows.
• Yu recommended incorporating digital and AI capabilities into public tender scoring, easing mandatory approval and affidavit requirements for AI usage, and integrating BIM and CDE into contracts.
• He noted that mandatory project-by-project professional liability insurance causes coverage gaps and underinsurance, advocating a legislative transition to company-wide annual policies.