"Now We Nurture and Retain"… First Bipartisan Bill to Foster and Prevent Outflow of AI Talent Proposed

DaeSik Kim and JunHyuk Kim Propose the “Special Act on Fostering and Utilizing AI Talent”
Aims to Prevent Overseas Outflow of AI Talent and Strengthen National Competitiveness
Bipartisan Bill Outlines Systematic Support for AI Talent Development, Research, and Industry Collaboration

A special act has been proposed with the aim of designating artificial intelligence (AI) talent as a national strategic asset and preventing the outflow of such talent overseas.

On August 20, Assemblyman DaeSik Kim (Sasang District, Busan, People Power Party) and Assemblyman JunHyuk Kim (Suwonjeong, Gyeonggi Province, Democratic Party of Korea), both members of the National Assembly’s Education Committee, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Center to announce that they have jointly sponsored the “Special Act on Fostering and Utilizing Artificial Intelligence Talent,” with the goal of strengthening South Korea’s future competitiveness.

This bill is particularly meaningful as it represents bipartisan cooperation to address the urgent task of fostering AI talent, which is critical for both people’s livelihoods and national strategy. Although artificial intelligence is a national strategic asset that is transforming industry, jobs, security, and education, South Korea currently lacks the institutional foundation to support it.

Among the 38 OECD countries, South Korea ranks fourth in terms of the proportion of AI talent leaving the country, with about 40% of graduates with master’s and doctoral degrees going abroad, highlighting the seriousness of the outflow of top talent.

The bill’s key provisions include: ▲ establishing a five-year master plan for fostering and utilizing AI talent by the Minister of Education ▲ providing research grants and living expenses for university and graduate students ▲ improving research environments and career planning support for postdoctoral researchers ▲ designating specialized universities and corporate-affiliated educational institutions ▲ establishing university-based AI Talent Innovation Centers ▲ founding the Korea AI Talent Development Foundation and the AI Talent Association ▲ supporting the connection of military service careers and attracting overseas talent.

Assemblyman DaeSik Kim emphasized, “In the AI era, the initiative lies not in technology, but in people. No matter how advanced the technology, without the talent to lead it, national competitiveness cannot be sustained.”

He added, “This bill is the first comprehensive legislation that enables the nation to systematically foster and utilize AI talent. It will lay the foundation for strengthening industrial competitiveness as well as creating new jobs and added value that people can truly experience.”

Assemblymen DaeSik Kim and JunHyuk Kim stated, “The proposal of this bill demonstrates that both parties can cooperate on core issues concerning people’s livelihoods and national strategy. During the forthcoming National Assembly review process, we will swiftly promote the development of AI-specialized regions, the strengthening of industry-university cooperation, and the establishment of measures to protect talent through detailed institutional improvements and follow-up legislation.”

Representative DaeSik Kim (center) and Representative JunHyuk Kim (left) are jointly proposing the "Special Act on Fostering and Utilizing Artificial Intelligence Talent."

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