Gov't to create W455 tril. in economic value through AI

Science and ICT Minister Choi Ki-young announces the government plans designed to strengthen competitiveness of the nation's AI industry at the government complex in Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Ministry of Science and ICT

100 pan-government tasks to expand prowess in AI unveiled

By Jun Ji-hye

The government will generate a total of 455 trillion won ($390 billion) in economic value over the next 10 years by fostering artificial intelligence (AI) through 100 inter-agency projects, the Ministry of Science and ICT said Tuesday.

Through the plans, the government is aiming to become No. 3 in terms of digital competitiveness, and No. 10 in living standards of citizens in the world by the end of 2030.

The plans, drawn up by all ministries and announced by the science ministry, were finalized during a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Moon Jae-in earlier that day.

The plans follow President Moon's Oct. 28 announcement of his willingness to drive the nation's AI industry forward and promote innovation in industrial, social and governmental ecosystems.

“Thorough preparations by all ministries are necessary at a time when AI brings fundamental innovation to industries and causes changes in jobs,” ICT Minister Choi Ki-young said. “Citizens, enterprises and academic circles will be encouraged to lead innovation, and the government will back them up and gather all abilities.”

In a bid to narrow the technological gap with leading nations in the AI field, the government will make the most use of the nation's advanced ICT infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing technology as well as its citizens' high acceptability of technology.

Minister Choi said the government will fully open public data and construct an AI cluster in Gwangju in an effort to expand high-quality resources and infrastructure.

To secure technological competitiveness, the government will invest 1.96 trillion won into the development of next-generation “smart” memory chips, such as processing-in-memory, in the 2020-29 period.

The government will also revise its regulatory and legal systems to stimulate innovation.

In a bid to nurture AI startups that will be competitive in the global market, the government will create investment funds next year, Choi said, noting that the government also plans to hold “AI Olympics” in which AI startups from around the world will engage in competitions and interactions.

At universities, more AI-related departments will be added or newly launched, while students in elementary and middle schools will have more opportunities to learn software and AI more easily and enjoyably.

To expand the application of AI in industries, the government will help some 2,000 manufacturers to adopt smart factory systems powered by AI, and will work to expand AI applications to the biotech, medical and agriculture sectors.

The government will also introduce next-generation e-government systems based on the nation's cutting-edge ICT infrastructure so its citizens can experience high-quality public services and dynamic changes firsthand.