What did South Korea announce about autonomous driving AI and deep-tech startups in 2026?

The government approved measures to accelerate commercialization of autonomous driving AI and to support deep-tech startups. It also said the efforts are meant to help emerging technologies move from testing into wider use.

How will South Korea support deep-tech startups in AI, semiconductors and biotechnology?

The government plans to identify promising R&D results and connect them with startups, while setting up centers and regional hubs for technology demonstrations. It will also provide AI agents to help researchers move into startups and promote long-term investment through investment-based R&D programs and deep-tech-focused ultra-long-term funds.

Korea expands autonomous driving AI tests

Q: Why is the government expanding autonomous driving AI pilot projects beyond Gwangju?

The expansion is meant to gather large amounts of driving data and improve the performance and versatility of locally developed autonomous driving AI. The government also said the move comes as competition from the United States and China intensifies.

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Summary

The government said Monday it will expand pilot projects for locally developed autonomous driving AI and strengthen support for deep-tech startups to speed commercialization of emerging technologies. The measures were approved at a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Science and ICT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon. Pilot projects that began in Gwangju will be expanded to more regions and larger-scale operations. The government also plans cooperation models, regulatory improvements and long-term funding for startups.

Key Facts

The Ministry of Science and ICT said the measures were approved at a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Science and ICT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon.
Pilot projects that began in Gwangju will be expanded to more regions and larger-scale operations.
The government wants to collect large volumes of driving data to improve the performance and versatility of locally developed autonomous driving AI amid competition from the United States and China.
It plans a cooperation model involving transport companies and unions, autonomous driving firms and platform operators to address potential conflicts during commercialization.
Deep-tech startup support will cover AI, semiconductors and biotechnology, including centers, regional hubs, AI agents for researchers and ultra-long-term funds.

By Lee Gyu-lee

Published Aug 24, 2026 3:27 pm KST
Updated Aug 24, 2026 5:56 pm KST

The government said Monday it will significantly expand pilot projects for locally developed autonomous driving artificial intelligence (AI) and strengthen support for deep-tech startups as it seeks to accelerate the commercialization of emerging technologies.

According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, the government approved measures to accelerate the commercialization of autonomous driving AI and support deep-tech startups during a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Science and ICT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon.

Under the autonomous driving road map, the government will expand pilot projects that began in Gwangju to more regions and larger-scale operations. The move aims to collect large volumes of driving data to improve the performance and versatility of locally developed autonomous driving AI amid intensifying competition from the United States and China.

The government also plans to establish a cooperation model involving transport companies and unions, autonomous driving firms and platform operators to address potential conflicts as the technology is commercialized. It will also promote related industries, including insurance, traffic management, vehicle management and maintenance.

The ministries and the policy agency will jointly work on technology development, testing and regulatory improvements as well.

Meanwhile, the government will expand support for deep-tech startups in areas including AI, semiconductors and biotechnology. It plans to identify promising research and development results and connect them with startups, while establishing centers and regional hubs to support technology demonstrations.

The government will also provide AI agents to help researchers navigate the startup process and promote long-term investment through investment-based R&D programs and deep-tech-focused ultra-long-term funds.

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