Big Push for R&D on AI

The Korean government will invest 2.2 trillion won in AI projects of the public sector over the next five years to develop AI technology and nurture 5,000 AI specialists.

At its sixth meeting held in Seoul on May 15, the Presidential Committee on the Fourth Industrial Revolution finalized an R&D strategy to support the plan.

The Korean government will invest 2.2 trillion won in AI projects over the next five years.
The Korean government will invest 2.2 trillion won in AI projects over the next five years.

The government will initiate large-scale AI projects in the public sector including national defense, life science and public safety to assist independent development of AI technology such as machine learning, computer vision and AI language.

It will also undertake long-term and high-risk projects for the development of next generation AI chips and promote the application of AI to the R&D on new drugs and future materials to shorten the development period.

The proposal also includes funding to expand AI infrastructure, including opening six AI graduate schools to cultivate AI specialists. These institutes will nurture 1,400 top AI researchers and 3,600 data management specialists who can develop AI-based products and services.

The government also plans to make Supercomputer No. 5, which will be in full operation soon, available for startups and SMEs to turn their ideas into products. It is estimated that 400 companies will have access to the supercomputer every year by 2022.

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