As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms work productivity, creative methods, and even the structure of education and research and development (R&D), the government has begun full-fledged discussions on a science and technology–AI future strategy aimed at 2030 and beyond.
Experts stressed that Korea should not stop at weighing whether to participate in overseas AI projects, but must consolidate the capabilities of domestic industry, talent, and policy to secure the initiative in the AI race.
The Ministry of Science and ICT on the afternoon of the 13th launched the "science and technology–AI future strategy council" at the Presidential Advisory Council on Science & Technology in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, and held its first meeting. The future strategy council consists of 17 private-sector experts from across society, including not only researchers in science and technology–AI but also in economics, industry, education, health care, culture, and law.
This council was set up to proactively respond to the structural changes in future society that AI and advanced science and technology will bring. While reviewing the current science and technology–AI policy direction through 2030, the core task is to identify new national strategic agendas that will continue through 2035 after 2030.
Bae Kyung-hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "Back in 2020, the ministry prepared a 2045 future strategy, but it did not include content on Generative AI at the time," adding, "Given that it is difficult to keep up with today's pace of technological change using only past mid- to long-term strategy approaches, if artificial general intelligence (AGI) emerges, the science and technology community and industry need to discuss how to prepare."
In particular, Bae said, "Some only ask whether Korea will participate in Anthropic's AI 'Mythos'–based software security project 'Project Glasswing,' which is disappointing," adding, "We should be asking whether we ourselves can build a model like Mythos. In this respect, awareness and preparation for AI still seem insufficient."
On this, Shin Jin-woo, a KAIST professor, said, "Korea also has the capability to build an AI model like Mythos," adding, "We have long built industrial competitiveness through outstanding engineering and on-site implementation. The key is how well we achieve consolidation and use of industry, talent, and government policy."
At the meeting, the role of humans in the AI era and the issue of capability gaps also emerged as major topics. Kim Ju-ho, a KAIST professor, saw the gap in AI utilization skills as a key variable that will determine organizational competitiveness going forward.
Kim said, "If AI largely replaces the 'how to do it,' what remains for humans is 'what to do' and 'why to do it,'" emphasizing, "At the national level, we must consider how to measure the quality of AI utilization, how to build social consensus based on that standard, and how to strengthen AI capabilities."
Park Su-kyung, a KAIST professor, suggested that to prepare for the AGI era, we must ready not only AI itself but also the physical and industrial foundational technologies that support it. Park said, "There are projections that AGI could arrive in three to five years, but actual outcomes may vary depending on computing expense, subscription accessibility, and the institutional environment," adding, "We need to look together at foundational issues closely tied to AI diffusion through consolidation."
Park added, "AI may offer breakthroughs in fields like nuclear fusion, but there are areas that take time, such as superconductors or materials development," adding, "If there are fields where AI can create a breakthrough, we should prepare the surrounding technologies and foundational capabilities needed at that time in advance."
Kim Sang-wook, a Kyunghee University professor, outlined the direction of education and talent development in the AI era. Kim said, "When the internet first spread, there were large generational differences in understanding and use, but looking back, foundational knowledge ultimately mattered," adding, "As AI policy is moving from infrastructure building to the spread of applications, we need to strengthen basic education so students can create application fields."
The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to hold the future strategy council regularly each quarter and to focus intensively on future issues by sector. Core agendas identified at the meetings will be linked with related research institutes for in-depth study, and the results will be released sequentially in the form of a future agenda series. In addition, matters requiring pan-ministry cooperation will be discussed through venues such as the ministers' meeting on science and technology to enhance policy execution.