Vice Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoon-cheol met with the presidents of the four major science and technology institutes, promising active support to cultivate a Korean version of Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer was a U.S. physicist who led the nuclear development project.
On the 12th, Vice Minister Koo held a breakfast meeting at the Government Seoul Complex with the presidents of KAIST, GIST, DGIST, and UNIST, along with Koo Hyuk-chae, Vice Minister of Science and ICT. At this meeting, strategies for implementing a super-innovative economy utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), as well as the roles of the four science and technology institutes as regional innovation hubs, were discussed.
This meeting was organized with the recognition that the transition to a super-innovative economy centered on AI technology is essential for securing new growth engines for our economy. Vice Minister Koo emphasized that efforts must be made to build a super-innovation ecosystem and enhance corporations' competitiveness to shift from a catch-up economy to a leading economy. In particular, he urged the four science and technology institutes to take on core roles as regional hubs.
On that day, Vice Minister Koo mentioned the need for ▲ a central role in regional innovation ecosystems ▲ the necessity for AI improvements and advancements to be tailored to regional strategic industries ▲ the identification and nurturing of AI-based innovative startups ▲ and the need for the cultivation of key professionals in AI.
Vice Minister Koo stated, "With active government support, we will newly launch the Integrated Strategic Development (ISD) project linked to the four major science and technology institutes for large-scale collective and converged research," and added, "We will expand the AI+ national representative post-doctoral researchers." He also remarked, "We will cultivate a Korean version of Oppenheimer through an early doctoral program that shortens the duration of obtaining a degree from 11 years to 6 years."
The presidents of the four major science and technology institutes stated, "We will cultivate creative convergence talent that can lead national future strategic industries such as physical sciences, AI, and energy as the center of the regional innovation ecosystem." They continued, "We will support the enhancement of the general public's AI capabilities to contribute to the implementation of a super-innovative economy."
Vice Minister Koo Hyuk-chae said, "The four major science and technology institutes, which have grown into representative institutions for super-innovative research and the cultivation of key talent in our country, will also strive to collaborate more closely with regional companies, regional hub universities, and local governments."