Ministry of Science and ICT to Invest 136.3 Billion Won in AI Innovation for Broadcasting and Media

Digital Media Innovation Technology Development Project Passes Preliminary Feasibility Study

The government will invest 136.3 billion won to support the transition of the domestic broadcasting and media industry to an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system. This follows the approval of the preliminary feasibility study for the "Digital Media Innovation Technology Development Project," which aims to integrate AI and digital technologies across the entire industry, from digital media production to service platforms and digital services based on terrestrial broadcasting.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 27th that the "Digital Media Innovation Technology Development Project," which is being promoted jointly with the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), has passed the preliminary feasibility study. The total project budget is 136.3 billion won (with 109.7 billion won from the national government) and will be invested over five years from 2026 to 2030.

This project is a "Ministry-Specific Mission-Oriented R&D Project," newly established under the national R&D preliminary feasibility system reformed last year. Its key feature is the systematic integration and re-planning of broadcasting and media technology development, which had previously been conducted in a fragmented manner, to enable ongoing initiatives.

The Ministry of Science and ICT explained, "We aim to enhance technological competitiveness in response to changes in the broadcasting and media industry, such as the evolution of digital media services in various forms, intensifying global competition, and soaring media production costs."

The project aims to develop AI and digital core technologies in three areas: digital media production, media service platforms, and digital services based on terrestrial broadcasting. The goal is to strengthen the AI capabilities of domestic broadcasting and media platforms and to promote digitalization throughout the entire process, from planning and production to transmission and viewing.

To achieve this, R&D projects will be identified based on industry demand, and a project consultative body will be formed with the participation of broadcasters, OTT providers, media technology companies, and academia to strengthen inter-project collaboration. The ministry plans to actively promote the commercialization and industrial application of research outcomes.

Kang Doseong, Director of Broadcasting Promotion Policy, stated, "This is an essential project for the AI transition of the domestic broadcasting and media industry," adding, "We expect that the participation of a wide range of operators, including broadcasters, IPTV, and OTT providers, will help establish a technology-driven growth engine."