"Large Corporations and Startups Must Collaborate Closely to Secure AI Competitiveness"

Panel Discussion at the "Global Supergap Tech Conference"
"Need to Build Collaboration Models Like OpenAI and Microsoft"
"From Subcontracting to True Partnerships for Startups"

Industry experts have agreed that, for Korea to emerge as a global powerhouse in artificial intelligence (AI), a mutually beneficial ecosystem between large corporations and startups must be established. The consensus is that combining the resources of major companies with the innovative capabilities of startups is essential to secure supergap technological competitiveness.

Junho Baek, CEO of FuriosaAI, emphasized at the "Global Supergap Tech Conference" held on October 28 at Grand Walkerhill Seoul in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, "Given the current pace of AI innovation and development, we too must combine the resources of large corporations with the innovative potential of startups to create disruptive breakthroughs and secure global competitiveness. It is difficult to create new markets if startups are relegated to subcontractor roles for large companies, as was the case in the past."

At the "Global Supergap Tech Conference" held on the 28th at the Grand Walkerhill Seoul in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, a panel discussion on the theme "Fostering Innovative AI Startups to Lead Korea's AI Transformation (AX)" is underway. From left: Deukjo Gong, Vice President of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology; Kyungwon Cho, Startup Policy Officer at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Soonmin Bae, Executive Director of KT AI2X Lab; Jared Quincy Davis, CEO of Mithril; Junho Baek, CEO of Furiosa AI; Myungsoo Chae, CEO of Nota; Wonyoung Cho, Director of Software Policy Research Institute. Photo by Sungmin Lee

He added, "Many of the companies driving disruptive innovation in the global market are startups, and they have established very strong partnerships with large corporations. The collaboration between OpenAI and Microsoft, as well as between Anthropic and Amazon Web Services (AWS), are prime examples."

The Global Supergap Tech Conference is the largest technology forum in Korea, bringing together domestic and international startups, experts, major corporations, public institutions, and venture capitalists (VCs) to promote the acquisition of new technology strategies and global expansion for deep tech startups, including those in artificial intelligence (AI).

On the first day of the opening ceremony, a panel discussion was held on the topic of "Fostering Innovative AI Startups to Lead Korea's AI Transformation (AX)." Government officials, academics, and industry leaders discussed strategies for Korea to become a leading nation in AI entrepreneurship. The discussion was moderated by Gukdeuk Jo, Vice President of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, and featured Kyungwon Cho, Director of Startup Policy at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups; Soonmin Bae, Executive Director of KT AI2X Lab; Jared Quincy Davis, CEO of Mithril; Junho Baek, CEO of FuriosaAI; Myungsoo Chae, CEO of Nota; and Wonyoung Cho, Director of the Software Policy Research Institute.

Myungsoo Chae, CEO of Nota, stated, "The purpose of open innovation is to create a win-win relationship between large corporations and startups, but the definition of 'win-win' often differs between the parties. The most ideal symbiotic relationship is one in which both sides share their roadmaps and communicate based on mutual trust."

There were also opinions that talent, data, and infrastructure must form a virtuous cycle to secure AI technological competitiveness. Wonyoung Cho, Director of the Software Policy Research Institute, said, "All three factors are challenging, but if we focus on one and develop a priming policy, the others will follow, creating a virtuous cycle. For example, if the government supports AI research institutions from the outset, foreign research institutes may invest in them to collaborate on business opportunities."

Jared Quincy Davis, CEO of Mithril, suggested that the social perception of startups should be improved. He said, "In the past, many startups struggled to scale up because of the perception that startups are inherently risky. If startups gain a positive image through consistent support and the formation of social consensus, entrepreneurship will increase and the entire ecosystem will grow."

Hansung Sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the opening ceremony of the Global Supergap Tech Conference held on the 28th at Grand Walkerhill Seoul in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Ministry of SMEs and Startups

Meanwhile, this event was organized as an official side event of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit Week, which will be held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, until November 2, in recognition of the importance of deep tech startups in the industrial sector.

Hansung Sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, said in her congratulatory remarks, "Fostering deep tech startups is essential for securing global technological leadership and is a core task that must be jointly pursued by the government and the private sector. I hope that deep tech startups will realize a greater vision in the global market through this event and become a new growth engine for Korea."