At the 53^rd cabinet meeting on December 17, 2019, the Korean government announced its “National AI Strategy,” which was jointly developed by all Ministries, including the Ministry of Science and ICT.  The government revealed its plan to undertake nine strategies and 100 initiatives in the three main areas of AI – establishment of AI ecosystem, utilization of AI, and creation of human-centered AI – by 2030.

The government explained that a balanced set of initiatives aimed at reinforcing the competitiveness of the AI technologies and industries as well as realizing human-centered AI, while simultaneously concentrating on Korea’s strengths, is the key characteristic of this strategy.

The strategies and initiatives included in the National AI Strategy focus on the following:

• Establishment of AI ecosystem: Expanding AI infrastructure, including data and computing resources, securing competitiveness of technologies and industries, creating supportive regulatory framework and establishing an innovation ecosystem
• Utilization of AI: Fostering AI experts, establishing AI education programs for all citizens, adopting and expanding AI across all industries and creating a next-generation intelligent government
• Creation of human-centered AI: Establishing a safety net for inclusive labor markets, preventing negative effects of AI and developing ethical principles for AI

The government stated that it plans to reorganize the current Fourth Industrial Revolution Committee as a nationwide committee focused on AI issues while concurrently organizing president-chaired strategy meetings and presidential report sessions.  The key details of the strategy will be included in each Ministry’s 2020 work plan and fully implemented accordingly.

The significance of such recently announced National AI Strategy is its focus on providing a direction for the government’s AI policy.  It will be necessary to continuously monitor the government’s future actions relating to specific initiatives.