Korea to Launch AI Safety Research Institute Within the Year... Establishing Global Network Among Government, Private Sector, and Academia

Yoon Mentions 'AI Seoul Summit' for the First Time in Opening Address
US, UK, Japan Establish Successively
Building Public-Private Collaboration Models... Budget Securing Discussions

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering the opening remarks at the 'AI Seoul Summit' held via video conference at the Blue House's State Guest House on the 21st. [Image source=Yonhap News]

South Korea will establish an AI Safety Research Institute within this year to secure leadership in the global artificial intelligence (AI) race and minimize the potential negative impacts of AI. As AI is a core technology that determines national power, and major advanced countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan have been establishing AI safety research institutes one after another, South Korea also plans to actively respond by founding an AI Safety Research Institute as a national research institution. In particular, leading AI companies such as SK, Samsung, and Naver, as well as academic research institutes, will collaborate to build a global network to strengthen AI safety.

President Yoon Suk-yeol said in his opening remarks at the ‘AI Seoul Summit’ held via video conference at the Blue House State Guest House on the evening of the 21st, "South Korea will also promote the establishment of an AI Safety Research Institute to join the global network for strengthening AI safety," adding, "We must secure AI safety to minimize the potential negative impacts of AI and to ensure that the well-being of our society and democracy are not undermined."

This is the first time President Yoon has publicly announced the plan to establish an AI Safety Research Institute. A Blue House official told Asia Economy, "The 'AI Semiconductor Initiative' unveiled at the 'Semiconductor Issue Review Meeting' chaired by President Yoon on the 9th of last month included nine major technological innovation tasks for the government and private sector to leap into the top three global AI countries. One of the key focuses is precisely 'AI safety,'" adding, "From the perspective of securing safety technology, we aim to establish the AI Safety Research Institute within this year and are currently discussing where and how to set it up. We are also formulating detailed plans including budget procurement." Although it will be launched as a government agency, there is consideration on how to build a collaborative model with the private sector and academia to lead and develop it.

The official said, "Broadly speaking, the AI Safety Research Institute will be launched as a national research institution. Major companies such as SK, Samsung, and Naver have already started initiatives like reliability centers, and related movements are active in universities as well," adding, "Because the pace of AI development is so rapid, the AI Safety Research Institute will be established as a national research institution, but governance will be secured domestically through safety centers in private companies and safety research institutes in universities. We plan to expand the global network and form alliances with AI safety research institutes in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan."

'AI Safety Technology' Securing Safety... Evolution of Inclusion and Innovation

President Yoon Suk-yeol is attending the 'AI Seoul Summit' via video conference at the Blue House's State Guest House on the 21st. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The President emphasized the day before that in the future, not only AI safety but also innovation and inclusion will be important tasks. He mentioned, "It is also important to ensure AI inclusiveness so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of AI regardless of their place of residence or income level."

The Blue House evaluated this AI Seoul Summit by saying, "It is significant in that the principles for AI development were expanded from just a safety perspective to three perspectives: safety, innovation, and inclusion," adding, "While the 'AI Safety Summit' held last November at Bletchley Park in the UK was a ministerial declaration, this 'Seoul Summit' is distinguished by being a declaration from the attending heads of state. The fact that South Korea hosted the meeting for the second time with global leaders including the Group of Seven (G7) reflects the country’s determination to secure global leadership."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.