Taiwan's government is giving every resident a NT$10,000 cash payout funded by booming AI-related growth, framed as good news for people and small businesses — and paid for without new borrowing.

• Premier Cho Jung-tai says the payout shares the country's economic gains and "AI dividend" with everyone.
• The extra spending will not crowd out existing budget items or add to national debt, which has fallen to its lowest level since 1999.
• Taiwan's economy is on track to grow more than 11% this year, with double-digit growth in each of the first two quarters.
• Next year's budget pours more money into AI and smart technology, plus a big public works package for rail, roads, and city upgrades.
• Opposition critics argue the handout will make Taiwan poorer; the government rejects that and says it is simply returning wealth to the public.

Outlook: The payout heads into budget review while Taiwan pushes toward what it calls a decisive stage in trade talks with the US.