Science Minister Hoon Bae Embarks on First Field Visit... "Preparing National AI Bio Strategy"

AI Bio Sector Development Roundtable
"Innovation through AI-Science and Technology Integration"
Establishing a 'National AI Bio Strategy'

On the 21st, Science and ICT Minister Hoon Bae announced, "We will prepare a 'National AI Bio Strategy' that presents a national roadmap for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) bio technologies and comprehensive support for the entire lifecycle of bio data."

Science and ICT Minister Hoon Bae is visiting Seoul Bio Hub in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul on the 21st as his first field activity to discuss development plans for the AI bio sector with experts in the field. Photo by Kyungjo Noh

Minister Bae made these remarks during his first field visit since taking office, at Seoul Bio Hub in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, stating, "AI will go beyond serving as a simple research assistant and become a true partner for researchers."

Seoul Bio Hub is home to a number of bio and medical startups. Minister Bae visited tenant companies, listened to updates on their major research activities, and discussed directions for fostering the AI bio sector with experts in the field.

Minister Bae’s first visit to this site is interpreted as an expression of the government’s commitment to realizing its goal of becoming one of the world’s top three AI powers, as well as to boldly supporting the acquisition of future strategic technologies such as advanced bio.

Since his nomination, Minister Bae has consistently emphasized that innovation can be driven by combining AI with science and technology. After his inauguration, he also stated, "If there is a place in the field of basic science that is creating new innovation using AI, I want to visit there first."

The Ministry of Science and ICT explained that this first field visit reflects Minister Bae’s strong determination to foster advanced bio and accelerate innovation by combining it with AI.

At a roundtable discussion with AI bio researchers from industry, academia, and research institutes held on the same day, Jinwoo Nam, Director of the Next Generation Bio Division at the National Research Foundation of Korea, presented on the current status and future of AI bio, introducing development trends and overseas cases. He also proposed policy directions for AI bio convergence.

Minister Bae stressed, "I believe it is important to achieve significant results in the bio sector, which is at a global turning point," and added, "To drive a paradigm shift in advanced bio together with AI, we will create an ecosystem through comprehensive support across all stages, including active R&D investment, AI computing infrastructure, bio data openness, nurturing convergent talent, and regulatory improvement."

He continued, "Based on the opinions gathered, we will prepare a national strategy that presents a roadmap for AI bio technology development and full-cycle support for bio data. This will enable the public to benefit from faster and more effective new drugs and personalized treatments, realize healthier lives, and achieve a sustainable bio economy that addresses challenges such as climate change and food security."

In particular, Minister Bae added, "As Minister of Science and ICT, I will broadly support the introduction and utilization of AI, not only in advanced bio but also by promoting its convergence with various scientific and technological fields, so that innovative research outcomes can be accelerated."

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