Minister Bae Gyeong-hun of the Ministry of Science and ICT visited the Seoul Biohub on the 21st, his first site visit since assuming office, and said, "I will support various scientific and technological fields, including advanced biotechnology, to ensure innovative research results through integration with artificial intelligence (AI)."
On the same day, Minister Bae visited major bio venture corporations within the Seoul Biohub to encourage them and held an on-site meeting to discuss directions for fostering the AI bio sector.
In his inaugural speech, Minister Bae expressed his intention to boldly support the realization of the government's first commitment to 'become a leading AI nation' and the acquisition of future strategic technologies, including advanced biotechnology.
Minister Bae emphasized, "We are facing a critical moment where the future of the nation is determined by how we respond to the wave of innovation and change represented by advanced science and technology, particularly AI, known as the 'coming wave.'" He added, "We must secure our competitiveness that cannot be imitated by other countries, achieve a national transformation based on AI and advanced science and technology, and create a vibrant ecosystem filled with continuous innovation."
On that day, Minister Bae Gyeong-hun discussed strategies for fostering the AI bio sector and securing global competitiveness through an on-site meeting with AI bio researchers from academia, industry, and research sectors. Experts attending the meeting suggested that the government needs to continuously pay attention and support in various areas, including ensuring the continuity of AI bio research and development, expanding high-performance AI computing resources and bio experimentation and manufacturing automation infrastructure, reforming systems for safe and flexible utilization of medical and bio data, nurturing AI+bio convergent talents, and establishing practical cooperation models among hospitals, corporations, and universities.
Minister Bae discussing the direction for fostering AI bio at the Seoul Biohub, where bio and medical startups congregate, can be seen as a commitment to foster advanced biotechnology and accelerate innovation through integration with AI.
Minister Bae stated, "AI will become more than just a research assistant; it will be a true partner for researchers," adding, "For the paradigm shift of advanced biotechnology in collaboration with AI, comprehensive support through active research and development (R&D) investment, AI computing infrastructure, bio data openness, training of convergent talents, and regulatory improvements is key."
Minister Bae noted, "Drug development is similar to exploring the vast unknown universe; it requires many hypotheses and significant investments," and stressed that "using AI can resolve issues more quickly and easily, and we will prepare various measures at the Ministry of Science and ICT for the integration of AI and existing science." Minister Bae added, "We will prepare a national roadmap for AI bio technology development and nationwide support for bio data throughout its life cycle, under the working title 'AI Bio National Strategy,'" stating, "Through this, citizens will be able to achieve a healthier life with faster and more effective drugs and personalized treatments, and we can also attain a sustainable bio-economic society that addresses climate change and food issues."
Minister Bae asserted, "As the Minister of Science and ICT, I will broadly support the introduction and utilization of AI to accelerate the production of innovative research results through the convergence of advanced biotechnology and various scientific and technological fields."