Deputy Prime Minister and Science and ICT Minister Bae Kyung-hoon highlighted expanded artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, record research funding and regulatory reforms as key achievements during his first year in office, while calling for more aggressive investment to make Korea one of the world's top three AI powers. During a press briefing in Seoul on Friday, Bae said the ministry had focused on rebuilding research ecosystems while accelerating AI development through infrastructure investment and institutional reforms. In the past year, the ministry has allocated 35.5 trillion won ($23.6 billion) in research and development spending, up more than 20 percent from a year earlier and the largest on record. "The ministry prioritized revitalizing the research ecosystem above all else,” he said, adding the ministry has also established institutional foundations through the AI Basic Act and pursued deregulation to encourage large-scale investment and innovation. "Built on robust infrastructure and institutional foundations, our proprietary AI models are being deployed across industry and the public sector, from semiconductor factories to government administrative networks and R&D budget deliberations." The ministry expanded researchers’ autonomy by allowing flexible use of R&D funds, shifting overhead rules to a negative system and cutting administrative paperwork by more than 90 percent, while expanding master's degree scholarships by 60 percent and introducing a new doctoral scholarship program. Bae cited graphics processing unit (GPU) infrastructure expansion and government-wide AI transformation (AX) initiatives as major accomplishments, noting that researchers no longer have to face GPU shortages. The government has secured 260,000 advanced GPUs through 2030, while private companies are in discussions with the ministry about further investments. But most importantly, he identified the emerging consensus on aggressive investment as the most significant shift. "In the past, even when I was in the private sector, no matter how much we appealed, investment in infrastructure and model development was insufficient," Bae said. "Now a consensus is forming that Korea needs more aggressive investment to break through in AI. The fact that investment discussions are now proceeding represents a major achievement.” The minister said that Korea now faces a critical moment to further intensify investment. "Beyond developing AI in areas where we excel, we also need to create true frontier models and join (global) competition,” he said. “Korea still needs AI models on par with the United States and China. We've invested effectively with smaller budgets until now, but I believe the time has come to take on the challenge of building frontier models." Looking ahead, Bae outlined plans to accelerate its full-stack AI supplier through bolder support measures and to roll out its AI for everyone initiative later this year, which aims to provide free AI services for all citizens. "All citizens will be able to use AI freely and conveniently, just as they use the Korean language or arithmetic, and work, learn and conduct daily life alongside AI agents," Bae said. The service, which will be built on models from the ongoing national AI foundation model project, will feature chatbot functions, personal AI agents and specialized models targeting elderly and underserved populations. He said it will be initially funded by the government, with potential private-sector co-investment being discussed for post-2028 sustainability. (ICE SEOUL)

Fonte notizia: THE KOREA TIMES