Bae Kyung-hun, Minister of Science and ICT, said on the 14th, "We must develop our AI capabilities based on the software technology that underpins artificial intelligence (AI)," promising to expand investment for fostering talent in AI transformation (AX).
On the same day, the Ministry of Science and ICT held a meeting on cultivating AX talent, chaired by Minister Bae, at the Gaepo Digital Innovation Park in Gangnam, Seoul.
Minister Bae noted, "We are now in an undeniable AI era," adding, "While many software technologies may be replaced by AI, there are clearly areas that need to be directly handled by experts."
He continued, "The Ministry of Science and ICT is considering establishing 15 AX universities by 2030 and expanding AI-centric universities from the current 10 to 30 graduate schools," stating, "There are also plans to significantly increase investments at the government level for AX cultivation."
At the meeting, representatives from industry and academia attended to share opinions on securing and nurturing AX talent.
Kim Young-ok, Chief AI Development Officer (CAIO) of HD Hyundai, suggested, "How to secure and retain AI talent regionally is a nationally important task," noting, "If there are benefits and scholarships for talents settling in the region, those issues could be alleviated."
Kim CAIO added, "Manufacturing companies find it difficult to hire AI talent, so I hope effective measures for retraining existing employees can emerge."
Cho Jun-hee, chairman of the Korea Artificial Intelligence Software Industry Association, stated, "Even if we strive to cultivate AX talent, many end up just playing managerial roles instead of becoming AI experts, losing motivation. If current workers are transitioned into AI application developers or technicians, it will help protect industrial talent."
Lee Ye-ha, CEO of VUNO, remarked, "In discussions on cultivating AI talent, the focus often tends to be solely on the technology itself; to proactively and creatively solve real-world problems, integration and collaboration must precede, which will enhance adaptability on-site."
Before the meeting, Minister Bae visited the "Innovation Academy," a practical innovation training institution on the premises. He expressed, "I heard that 67% of the academy's students are non-majors, but the employment rate reaches 97%," and noted, "I felt the saying that the best teacher is a peer."