By Kim Yoo-chul, Do Je-hae
President Moon Jae-in vowed Wednesday to support the nation's top technology firms become leaders in the area of artificial intelligence (AI) saying that the sector has played a central role in overcoming challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moon also expressed appreciation for Samsung Electronics, SK Telecom, KT and Kakao Enterprise over their "concerted efforts" in backing up his signature "Digital New Deal" policy initiative.
Previously, the President had floated the idea of companies expanding their investments into AI in accordance with the Cheong Wa Dae-initiated "Data Dam" project to help the country's digitally-driven economy adapt to a post-COVID world.
The project was aimed at collecting and processing data from the public and private sectors, through fifth-generation (5G) telecommunication networks, to collate "useful information" that would stimulate new technologies such as AI and augmented reality.
On Wednesday, President Moon visited an event held in the KINTEX Convention Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, to congratulate the anniversary of his announcement on AI-oriented policies and how AI-embedded technologies could change the public's daily way of life.
Key briefers on the progress and specifics of advancement in the AI industry included Science Minister Choi Ki-young and senior executives from Samsung Electronics, SK Telecom and KT, according to a Cheong Wa Dae press release.
"We will be living in a world of AI. AI has become the central point in terms of opening the future with the help of the Internet of Things, driverless vehicles and advanced healthcare technologies. Samsung Electronics, for example, is moving down a path that hasn't been walked before. Samsung is going beyond product innovation as it pursues the safety of humankind utilizing human-centric AI technology," Moon said in an opening speech, according to Cheong Wa Dae press pool reports.
Moon also congratulated SK Telecom on its new AI semiconductor for data center operations. "Korea will make the AI chip the second DRAM chip. The country will invest up to 1 trillion won by 2025. In terms of software capability, the country will increase the number of AI experts to 100,000. But because AI and robots can't replace people and there are some downsides, the government will team up with the international community to tackle outstanding ethical issues," he said.
During his speech, Moon focused on the necessity of the "Digital Dam" project, which is targeting seven key business areas to support. Cheong Wa Dae is also putting emphasis on boosting educational AI initiatives as these are considered the centerpiece of the project.
"South Korea is handling the effects of COVID-19 and I would say technology has helped the country combat the pandemic. I would encourage all the country's leading technology companies to invest more," Moon said. The government will directly invest 114 trillion won in the Korean New Deal until 2025, which pushes the total investment to 160 trillion won including funding from local governments and the private sector. Plus, the plan is intended to strengthen employment, and social safety nets.
President Moon Jae-in vowed Wednesday to support the nation's top technology firms become leaders in the area of artificial intelligence (AI) saying that the sector has played a central role in overcoming challenges triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moon also expressed appreciation for Samsung Electronics, SK Telecom, KT and Kakao Enterprise over their "concerted efforts" in backing up his signature "Digital New Deal" policy initiative.
Previously, the President had floated the idea of companies expanding their investments into AI in accordance with the Cheong Wa Dae-initiated "Data Dam" project to help the country's digitally-driven economy adapt to a post-COVID world.
The project was aimed at collecting and processing data from the public and private sectors, through fifth-generation (5G) telecommunication networks, to collate "useful information" that would stimulate new technologies such as AI and augmented reality.
On Wednesday, President Moon visited an event held in the KINTEX Convention Center, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, to congratulate the anniversary of his announcement on AI-oriented policies and how AI-embedded technologies could change the public's daily way of life.
Key briefers on the progress and specifics of advancement in the AI industry included Science Minister Choi Ki-young and senior executives from Samsung Electronics, SK Telecom and KT, according to a Cheong Wa Dae press release.
"We will be living in a world of AI. AI has become the central point in terms of opening the future with the help of the Internet of Things, driverless vehicles and advanced healthcare technologies. Samsung Electronics, for example, is moving down a path that hasn't been walked before. Samsung is going beyond product innovation as it pursues the safety of humankind utilizing human-centric AI technology," Moon said in an opening speech, according to Cheong Wa Dae press pool reports.
Moon also congratulated SK Telecom on its new AI semiconductor for data center operations. "Korea will make the AI chip the second DRAM chip. The country will invest up to 1 trillion won by 2025. In terms of software capability, the country will increase the number of AI experts to 100,000. But because AI and robots can't replace people and there are some downsides, the government will team up with the international community to tackle outstanding ethical issues," he said.
During his speech, Moon focused on the necessity of the "Digital Dam" project, which is targeting seven key business areas to support. Cheong Wa Dae is also putting emphasis on boosting educational AI initiatives as these are considered the centerpiece of the project.
"South Korea is handling the effects of COVID-19 and I would say technology has helped the country combat the pandemic. I would encourage all the country's leading technology companies to invest more," Moon said. The government will directly invest 114 trillion won in the Korean New Deal until 2025, which pushes the total investment to 160 trillion won including funding from local governments and the private sector. Plus, the plan is intended to strengthen employment, and social safety nets.
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