Ministry of Science and ICT Prioritizes Support for AI, Data, and Cloud Companies Leading 'COVID-19 Response'

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] The government is set to provide support to private artificial intelligence (AI), data, and cloud companies engaged in responding to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). High-performance computing resources will be prioritized for AI algorithm or solution development companies, and the data voucher program will be strengthened for companies requiring the use and processing of related data such as infectious disease diagnosis.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 12th that it has prepared a rapid support plan for private companies participating in COVID-19 response efforts. Private companies such as Korea Spatial Information Communication, WiseNut, Naver, Seegene, Vuno, Deargen, and Arontier are actively involved in COVID-19 response, ranging from quickly sharing comprehensive situation reports by analyzing government-provided data to developing diagnostic kits and therapeutics.

First, the Ministry of Science and ICT decided to prioritize high-performance computing resources for institutions and companies developing AI algorithms or solutions related to COVID-19 response. Following the first application completed in February, institutions applying for COVID-related AI development can submit applications through the AI Hub website (aihub.or.kr) starting from the 16th, with reviews to be completed within three days. The originally scheduled second application was set for April 10. Additionally, while the existing program supports 10/20/40TF per month, the COVID-19 response support will be increased to 100TF over two months.

For companies and institutions requiring data utilization and processing related to infectious disease diagnosis, prevention/management, and treatment, support for the data voucher program will be strengthened. Details will be announced within this month. The data voucher program refers to supporting costs incurred for purchasing data or receiving data processing services through vouchers. This year, support is planned at a scale of 57.5 billion KRW and about 1,400 cases. The Ministry of Science and ICT will establish a separate track worth 5 billion KRW for COVID-19 response and allow participation from university research teams and research institutions.

Alongside this, to minimize work gaps caused by companies’ remote work, support for the use of cloud services such as collaboration and video conferencing will be advanced from May to the end of March, and the corporate burden will be minimized from a minimum of 30% to 0%. The scale of cloud service usage support will be 2.5 billion KRW this year, targeting 1,700 companies.

Additionally, the Ministry of Science and ICT, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency plan to operate a system supporting COVID-19 epidemiological investigations starting from the 16th, utilizing smart city technologies jointly developed through R&D by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Minister Choi Ki-young of the Ministry of Science and ICT stated, “Although we are facing many difficulties due to the spread of COVID-19, we are overcoming the crisis with the cooperation of the public and the dedication of medical personnel, and our AI, data, and cloud companies are also on the front lines,” adding, “We will listen to the voices of companies and prioritize support for necessary matters in COVID-19 response throughout the promotion of various support projects such as AI, data, and cloud.”