Parties should stop playing politics over bread-and-butter issues
The government has unveiled a long-awaited national strategy to develop artificial intelligence (AI), the brain and engine of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. If proposed goals and tasks are fulfilled without a hitch, AI competitiveness will mean big progress in the coming decade.
The national strategy, drawn up by all ministries and endorsed during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, called for 100 action tasks to be implemented in three sectors, including the creation of an AI ecosystem that will lead the world. Specifically, the government will invest 1 trillion won ($858 million) to develop next-generation "smart" memory chips. The government will also fully open big data and build an AI cluster in the southwestern city of Gwangju to expand high-quality resources and infrastructure.
By 2030, the AI national strategy will generate 455 trillion won ($390 billion) in economic value and help raise Korea's digital competitiveness and standard of living in the world to third and 10th, respectively. The government will also change its regulatory and legal systems to stimulate AI innovation.
The government's AI initiative is belated, but it's a relief that detailed action plans have come even now, given that Korea still falls behind such countries as the U.S. and China in AI competitiveness. But the gap seems not too wide for Korea to catch up, depending on how it works based on its cumulative IT prowess.
Actions speak louder than words. The most important thing is the government's strong commitment to fostering AI manpower. Specifically, it's essential to let universities add or launch AI-related departments more freely.
Politics matters to the progress of AI, of course. The National Assembly should take the lead in removing cumbersome regulations to create an environment more favorable to AI and other new industries. Yet what has been shown so far is disappointing, given partisan bickering even over economic matters. It's high time for parties to stop playing politics over bread-and-butter issues and join forces to spur growth.
The government has unveiled a long-awaited national strategy to develop artificial intelligence (AI), the brain and engine of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. If proposed goals and tasks are fulfilled without a hitch, AI competitiveness will mean big progress in the coming decade.
The national strategy, drawn up by all ministries and endorsed during a Cabinet meeting Tuesday, called for 100 action tasks to be implemented in three sectors, including the creation of an AI ecosystem that will lead the world. Specifically, the government will invest 1 trillion won ($858 million) to develop next-generation "smart" memory chips. The government will also fully open big data and build an AI cluster in the southwestern city of Gwangju to expand high-quality resources and infrastructure.
By 2030, the AI national strategy will generate 455 trillion won ($390 billion) in economic value and help raise Korea's digital competitiveness and standard of living in the world to third and 10th, respectively. The government will also change its regulatory and legal systems to stimulate AI innovation.
The government's AI initiative is belated, but it's a relief that detailed action plans have come even now, given that Korea still falls behind such countries as the U.S. and China in AI competitiveness. But the gap seems not too wide for Korea to catch up, depending on how it works based on its cumulative IT prowess.
Actions speak louder than words. The most important thing is the government's strong commitment to fostering AI manpower. Specifically, it's essential to let universities add or launch AI-related departments more freely.
Politics matters to the progress of AI, of course. The National Assembly should take the lead in removing cumbersome regulations to create an environment more favorable to AI and other new industries. Yet what has been shown so far is disappointing, given partisan bickering even over economic matters. It's high time for parties to stop playing politics over bread-and-butter issues and join forces to spur growth.
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