South Korea seeks policy solutions for rapid AI transition

Experts and research institutions in South Korea are addressing the gap between rapid artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and the slower evolution of social, labor, and educational systems. A collaborative forum hosted by the National Research Council for Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences (NRC), the Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI), and the Korea Development Institute (KDI) will discuss how to restructure industrial and social policies to ensure the benefits and risks of AI are distributed equitably.

Discussions will focus on moving beyond mere technological investment to consider access to core AI resources like data and computing power. There is a noted need for integrated AI governance that protects citizen rights and biometric information, alongside a shift in administrative processes to utilize AI for more efficient public services.

In regional contexts such as Incheon, the strategy involves integrating AI into existing strengths like logistics, bio-industries, and manufacturing. This includes developing smart logistics through AI-driven predictive systems and providing lifelong education to help various demographics, from youth to middle-aged workers, adapt to the changing technological landscape.