InterviewAI expertise, gaming leadership, blockchain innovation makes Korea strategic market: AI expert

Antix CEO and founder Roman Cyganov / Courtesy of Antix

Korea is rapidly emerging as a major player in the global artificial intelligence (Al) race as it fiercely competes with regional heavyweights such as China — where companies like DeepSeek are advancing AI innovation — and India, an AI expert said Tuesday.

The government’s decision to secure 10,000 high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs) to strengthen national AI infrastructure signals the country’s commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in AI-driven innovation, according to Roman Cyganov, CEO and founder of Antix, a Web3 platform driven by Al. Web3 is a next-generation, blockchain-backed internet.

This investment, alongside Korea’s existing expertise in gaming, media and digital technology, enables the country to solidify its position as a frontrunner in AI-powered content creation and synthetic media development.

"To sustain its leadership, Korea must continue fostering public-private partnerships, advancing regulatory clarity and incentivizing AI research to match the aggressive AI advancements seen in its neighboring markets," he said in an interview with The Korea Times.

The country is well-positioned, he added, to integrate AI-generated media into entertainment, gaming and advertising, creating immersive and personalized digital experiences at scale.

That is why he seeks partnerships with companies such as Nexon, NCSoft, Krafton and Netmarble – leaders in gaming innovation. AI-generated content can further enhance player engagement, storytelling and in-game interactivity, he said.

"Korea’s technological landscape provides a fertile ground for strategic partnerships in AI, gaming and blockchain," he said. "We have followed these entities and their developments in Korea, and their approach to adopting AI to boost efficiency will undoubtedly speak volumes in the games they create, as seen on numerous occasions."

On the blockchain, platforms such as Kaia and Lambda256 are pioneering decentralized infrastructure solutions, Cyganov said.

"Collaborating with these firms presents opportunities to develop blockchain-based verification systems for AI-generated content, ensuring greater security, transparency and traceability in digital media," he said. "Furthermore, partnerships with leading AI research institutions and universities in Korea would provide access to cutting-edge machine learning applications, particularly in deepfake detection and real-time AI video generation."

By forging partnerships with key industry players, the firm seeks to push the boundaries of AI-driven content creation while ensuring the integrity and security of AI-generated media.

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Korea’s strengths

Korea is widely recognized as one of the most technologically advanced and crypto-savvy markets globally.

Its strong digital infrastructure, high adoption rates and government-backed blockchain initiatives solidify its position as a leader in the Web3 economy, he said.

"The country has demonstrated a remarkable ability to integrate emerging technologies, particularly in decentralized finance, AI-enhanced blockchain solutions and digital asset tokenization, making it a key player in the evolving digital asset landscape," he said.

One of Korea’s primary strengths is its engaged investor base, which includes both retail and institutional participants.

The country has also cultivated a strong ecosystem of blockchain startups, gaming enterprises and financial institutions, driving innovation in decentralized applications.

However, equally prevalent are structural challenges.

"The crypto market remains highly centralized, with a few dominant exchanges, such as Upbit and Bithumb, controlling a significant portion of trading activity. This centralization limits competition and restricts the potential for more decentralized financial solutions to emerge at scale," he said.

Still, he viewed Korea’s regulatory landscape favorably for evolving to keep pace with the rapid advancements in blockchain and digital assets.

"The government has taken significant steps to enhance investor protection and ensure compliance, which is essential for maintaining trust in the market. As regulations continue to develop, there is an opportunity to create a framework that balances consumer protection with an environment that fosters innovation and global competitiveness in the blockchain ecosystem," he said.

Regulation must foster progress

Cyganov said the Korean government has made significant strides in creating a structured regulatory framework for the crypto and blockchain sectors.

However, regulation must be designed to foster, rather than hinder, technological progress.

"Korea should continue building upon its progressive regulatory stance to enable more individuals and businesses to participate in the crypto and blockchain sectors, fostering an inclusive and dynamic digital economy," he said.

Korea should also position itself as a global destination for blockchain investment by adopting internationally aligned policies that encourage cross-border collaborations, particularly in emerging sectors such as AI-generated media.

"Given Korea’s commitment to advancing AI and blockchain, regulatory frameworks must evolve alongside these technologies to ensure the country maintains its competitive edge.," he said. "A flexible, forward-looking approach will allow Korea to continue driving blockchain and AI adoption while supporting responsible innovation."