3 Essentials for Becoming a Leading Nation in Artificial Intelligence

KISTI, Issue Brief

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Junho] What is needed for South Korea to leap forward as an artificial intelligence (AI) powerhouse?

As the government has set "entry into an AI powerhouse" as a national task and launched large-scale national R&D, the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) presented strategies for becoming an AI powerhouse through the "KISTI Issue Brief" on the 24th.

KISTI identified three major tasks: ‘Data Construction and Distribution,’ ‘Legal and Institutional Improvement,’ and ‘AI Workforce Development.’ It emphasized the need for effective data construction for AI advancement, the improvement of legal systems to support this, and the cultivation of human resources for AI sophistication.

AI superpowers are also pioneering AI through similar strategies. China introduced AI policies that allow industry-led policy support, market supervision, environment building, and legislation, moving away from the traditional government-led top-down approach.

Last year, U.S. President Trump signed an executive order titled "Maintaining American Leadership in AI," proposing five key strategies to enhance the nation's overall AI capabilities, including prioritizing AI R&D investment, opening government-owned AI-related resources, and promoting STEM education.

Choi Hee-yoon, President of KISTI, stated, “Data sharing and utilization, the capability to use large-scale ultra-high-speed supercomputers, and big data analysis capabilities will become crucial for AI development,” adding, “KISTI will actively contribute to the success of the national AI strategy that the public can feel.”