Investing 200 Billion Won Over 5 Years... Innovating R&D with Digital Technology

Ministry of Science and ICT Announces 'Measures to Promote Digitalization of Research and Development'

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The government has decided to invest 200 billion KRW by 2027 to accelerate technological innovation by integrating digital technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital twins.

On the afternoon of the 20th, Oh Tae-seok, the 1st Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, announced the "Plan to Promote Digitalization of Research and Development" with this content. Representative examples include the protein structure prediction AI "RosettaFold" developed by Dr. Baek Min-kyung of the University of Washington and Google's DeepMind AlphaFold2. These technologies have made it possible to predict protein structures, which used to take up to several decades, within minutes, significantly accelerating new drug development. Similarly, Professor Jang Young-jae of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) developed a system that uses digital twin technology to virtually construct semiconductor and secondary battery manufacturing processes and simultaneously control hundreds of robots based on this.

The government has taken active steps to spread innovation through the use of such digital technologies in research fields. First, it will sequentially announce digital convergence strategies by field that utilize AI, digital twins, and research big data in advanced research areas such as bio, materials, and mechanical systems. Specifically, 200 billion KRW will be invested by 2027 in leading projects such as diagnosis of intractable diseases, development of new materials, and prediction of space changes. Advanced smart laboratories such as AI robot materials research labs and bio foundries will also be developed and expanded.

In addition, more than 40 advanced research data analysis models, such as synthesis possibility prediction based on materials data, will be developed and distributed, and digital twin virtual environments enabling remote experiments will be established in 10 research fields. To improve research administration efficiency and create an immersive research environment using digital technology, research institutions' research administration systems will be integrated on a cloud-based platform. An AI chatbot for research support will also be developed.

Vice Minister Oh said, "The importance of research and development incorporating digital techniques is growing to overcome the limitations of existing research methods and to create innovative outcomes," adding, "We will support researchers to lead digital research innovation together."