The Ministry of Science and ICT is joining hands with Google DeepMind to speed up the national AI research project "K-Moonshot." Marking the 10th anniversary of the AlphaGo match, it has institutionalized science and technology-AI cooperation and built a comprehensive collaboration framework that spans research, talent, and safety.
The Ministry of Science and ICT on the 27th signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CEO Demis Hassabis at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. Areas of cooperation include joint research in science and technology AI, AI talent development, and responsible AI use. The venue also added symbolism as the site of the 2016 "Google DeepMind Challenge Match."
Google DeepMind is the organization that led an AI paradigm shift with the Go AI AlphaGo and the protein structure prediction model "AlphaFold." In particular, with the achievements of AlphaFold, Hassabis jointly won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, proving the effectiveness of AI in the field of science and technology.
This agreement is an attempt to connect these achievements to Korea's science and technology innovation. The Ministry of Science and ICT is pushing the AI-based research productivity project "K-Moonshot," and plans to accelerate exchanges of technology, data, and researchers through cooperation with DeepMind. The two sides will conduct joint research in fields such as life sciences and weather and climate, and will establish cooperation hubs centered on the National Science AI Research Center, which is set to launch in May.
On the talent development front, the focus is on expanding global experience for domestic researchers. Google will establish an AI campus in Korea to expand cooperation with academia and startups and will also offer internship opportunities to experience the DeepMind research environment. The AI campus will serve as a core cooperation infrastructure linked to "K-Moonshot."
Cooperation on AI safety and governance was also included. The two sides will pursue joint research on AI model safety evaluation, safeguard design, and testing methodologies, and will continue discussions on building frameworks in connection with the AI Safety Research Institute. The plan is to jointly establish standards for responsible AI development, not just compete on technology.
The two sides will form a joint working group to hold quarterly consultations and will flesh out cooperation tasks through annual in-person meetings.
Bae Kyung-hoon, vice prime minister, said, "AI has entered a stage where it solves scientific and technological challenges and affects people's lives," and added, "This agreement is a key opportunity for Korea to accelerate AI-based science and technology innovation."