Vice Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Koh Jeong-hun speaks throughout a press convention marking the primary anniversary of the federal government’s launch at Seoul Central Post Office in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the twenty ninth. From left: First Vice Minister Koo Hyuk-chae, Vice Minister Koh Jeong-hun, and Park In-kyu, Head of the Office of Science, Technology and Innovation Policy. Provided by the Ministry of Science and ICT
The Ministry of Science and ICT has introduced a deliberate overhaul of the analysis and growth (R&D) evaluation system. It will transfer away from a grade-based system to at least one the place specialists with actual area information assess the route and high quality of analysis. The ministry additionally stated it’s going to current, as early as inside this yr and no later than early subsequent yr, measures to flexibly enhance the inflexible construction that at the moment prevents adjustments to mission content material and budgets even when the technological atmosphere shifts in the course of the time period of a funding settlement.
Vice Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Koh Jeong-hun held a press convention on the twenty ninth in the principle convention corridor of Seoul Central Post Office to mark the primary anniversary of the federal government’s launch. There, he outlined plans to reform the R&D evaluation system and reorganize government-funded analysis institutes (GRIs) round mission-based duties as a way to construct a extra challenge-oriented R&D ecosystem, and stated it’s now time for Korea to tackle the problem of growing cutting-edge AI fashions on par with these of the United States and China.
Over the previous yr, the Ministry of Science and ICT has secured a record-high R&D finances of 35.5 trillion gained and abolished the preliminary feasibility research system for R&D for the primary time in 18 years, chopping the interval from mission proposal submission to finances allocation and coordination from the earlier two years to 5 months. Alongside the abolition of the Project-Based System (PBS) for GRIs, the ministry has labored to create a researcher-centered atmosphere by introducing a brand new class for flexible use of analysis funds and simplifying greater than 90% of administrative types.
Regarding the evaluation system reform, First Vice Minister Koo Hyuk-chae defined, “We are considering ways to operate flexibly within the framework of the Basic Act on Science and Technology and the Framework Act on Science and Technology Innovation, while at the same time ensuring researchers remain accountable for their results.” He additionally indicated a shift towards a extra excellence-focused method, saying the ministry plans to calm down overly strict exclusion guidelines aimed toward stopping conflicts of curiosity in order that specialists who really perceive the sector can take part in evaluations.
On restructuring GRIs, the ministry made clear it’s going to prioritize setting mission-based initiatives over mergers or closures. Vice Minister Koh stated, “The first step is to clearly define large-scale projects that align with the unique missions of each GRI,” including, “With the abolition of PBS, we now have an opportunity to regroup previously fragmented projects around clear missions.”
On bettering compensation, Vice Minister Koh stated, “We are internally discussing the issue of compensation gaps between GRIs and private companies, and we will be making an announcement on this soon.”
When requested concerning the international competitiveness of Korean AI, Vice Minister Koh first defined the general route of Korea’s AI technique. He clarified that the first purpose will not be a head-on competitors with general-purpose fashions resembling Claude, Gemini, or ChatGPT.
Noting that the federal government’s complete AI finances is simply on par with the AI investments of a single U.S. Big Tech firm, he stated, “We have adopted a strategy of developing AI models specialized for manufacturing and industrial domains and driving AI-based transformation on that foundation,” including, “We intend to break ahead in the field of physical AI specialized in semiconductors and manufacturing.”
However, he stated Korea’s AI technique inevitably must increase, as general-purpose efficiency for nationwide AI providers has grow to be mandatory and cutting-edge AI fashions from abroad proceed to emerge. Vice Minister Koh acknowledged, “It is time for us to take on the challenge of developing cutting-edge AI models at a level comparable to those of the United States and China,” and famous that work is at the moment underway to construct consensus and safe assist for this initiative.
Looking additional forward, he offered three strategic instructions that stretch to the phases of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and Artificial Superintelligence (ASI). If AGI is general-purpose AI that may independently assess conditions and self-improve, ASI refers to AI that surpasses AGI and exceeds human professional capabilities in particular domains.
The first route is securing a state-of-the-art general-purpose AGI mannequin. Vice Minister Koh stated, “Right now, human experts are the ones building AI models, but within a few years we will reach an era where AI itself will further develop AI,” emphasizing, “We must secure capabilities before that point in time.”
The second is constructing a science-focused superintelligence system on the ASI stage, specialised in science and expertise. Within the Ok-Moonshot program, the ministry is designing an autonomous scientist system by which researchers in every area and AI can collaborate and co-evolve.
The third is making ready for the age of agentic AI. Vice Minister Koh stated, “We are moving beyond simple generative chatbots into an era where AI agents will be provided to all businesses and citizens, and AI agents will generate productivity among themselves,” whereas declaring that society at massive remains to be insufficiently ready for and engaged with this coming period.
At the press convention, Vice Minister Koh additionally talked about medium- to long-term instructions. Together with a brand new five-year AI technique, the Ministry of Science and ICT is utilizing the Science and Technology & AI Future Strategy Council it has established to map out developments by means of 2030–2035, whereas additionally conducting parallel discussions on long-term methods utilizing 2045—the yr futurist Ray Kurzweil has predicted AI will surpass human intelligence—as a key reference level. He stated, “Although precise predictions are difficult, it is essential that we proactively adjust our strategies in line with technological change.”
As a part of its second-year plan, the Ministry of Science and ICT will totally launch the “AI for All Project” within the second half of this yr, a nationwide free AI service based mostly on a domestically developed AI mannequin. The ministry additionally plans to announce the sixth Basic Plan for Science and Technology and the 2nd Mid- to Long-term National R&D Investment Strategy, and to current mission-specific targets for Ok-Moonshot. Through these initiatives, it goals to generate main breakthroughs in strategic areas resembling semiconductors, small modular reactors (SMRs), humanoids, quantum expertise, and biotech, and to raise Korea into the ranks of the world’s prime 5 science and expertise powers.
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