[Paek Jongmin's Deep Tech] How Not to Miss Out on 'Research Data', the Core Asset in the AI Era

National Research Data Act to Take Effect in May 2027

Research Data in the AI Era: An Asset to Nurture, Not a Technology to Sell Off

Rising Value of Research Data Accumulated by Government-Funded Institutes

Need for Building Trust and

On April 16, representatives from companies in the food and pharmaceutical sectors began arriving at the COEX conference venue in Seoul. They gathered for a customized technology council organized by the joint commercialization task force (TF) of the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST). Attendees discussed how to utilize healthcare research data that has been accumulated over a long period within the Korea Food Research Institute.

The data presented that day included dietary, clinical, and genomic data on patients with chronic diseases; electronic medical record data and information on side effects from cancer treatments in cancer patients; as well as gut microbiome and metabolite data. From a corporate standpoint, these materials are difficult to secure independently, but within the Korea Food Research Institute, such data continues to accumulate as research progresses. Researchers explained the data, while company representatives asked questions about how it could be used in their own service and product development.

Until now, the use of national research and development (R&D) outcomes has been centered on patents. The process has involved filing patents, transferring technology, and earning licensing revenue. Within this structure, research data remained peripheral. However, with the advent of the artificial intelligence (AI) era, the situation has changed. It has become crucial to know what data you possess, how reliable that data is, and whether it can be used safely. We are now in an era where data, once analyzed, is transformed into more advanced information and serves as the foundation for new products and services. In this era of AI scientists, data has become the core infrastructure.

Data generated in research settings cannot be used in industry as-is. In particular, data in the bio and healthcare fields inevitably involves issues of personal information and bioethics. Even pseudonymized data is not free from regulation. There are intertwined challenges regarding participant consent, regulation of human-derived materials, review by Institutional Review Boards (IRB), data ownership, and the export of electronic medical records (EMR). These are the reasons why it has been difficult to utilize research data.

In this context, the recently passed 'National Research Data Act' by the National Assembly is highly significant. The law, set to take effect in May 2027, establishes a system in which research data generated from national R&D projects is accumulated and made accessible via an integrated platform, and is also used for follow-up research. Until now, the obligation to manage research data was not clear, and the system for public release and recognition of rights was ambiguous. Going forward, R&D institutions will be required to manage data, and public release will be the principle, although reasons for non-disclosure such as trade secrets or national security will be permitted.

HyoKyung Choi, Head of the Precision Diet Research Group at the Korea Food Research Institute, is presenting at the Foodyeon Healthcare Data Technology Council held at COEX, Seoul, on April 16. Photo by NST

The importance of this law does not simply lie in encouraging more data to be made public. It is the first institutional foundation for recognizing research data as a national asset and establishing a basic framework for its management, rights, and utilization. The Ministry of Science and ICT also described research data as a core research asset in the AI era and a foundation for accumulating and disseminating the results of national R&D investment. It is also highly meaningful that research data accumulated over many years by government-funded research institutes, which the Korean government has fostered, now has the opportunity to emerge as a new source of added value in the AI era.

We must be cautious about indiscriminately increasing the amount of public data. As presented at the task force event, it is important to develop models that minimize the external export of raw data, such as through APIs and Software as a Service (SaaS), and to clarify standards for the use of pseudonymized and secondary analysis data. A system for assessing the value of data, such as the 'Data to Market (D2M)' model proposed by NST to connect research data with industry, is also necessary.

In particular, a transparent structure must be established so that the public can understand both the purpose of research data usage and the safeguards in place. The success or failure of research data utilization ultimately depends on public trust. There must be confidence that data is securely protected, properly evaluated, and used for the advancement of domestic research and industry. Without such trust, even the best data cannot become an asset in the AI era. The National Research Data Act likewise aims to balance openness and protection through an integrated platform, specialized platforms, research data management plans, and clear criteria for public and non-public data.

The competition to advance AI science does not end with amassing large volumes of data. The leading nations will be those that can securely protect data while enabling its use in research and industry. Research data is not a commodity to be sold off; it is a national asset that must be managed, cultivated, and connected. For Korea to become a leader, not a follower, in the AI era, it is essential to recognize, properly protect, and utilize the value of research data today.

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