South Korea accelerates AI integration across public and private sectors

South Korea is undergoing a widespread integration of artificial intelligence across various sectors, including government, education, industry, and culture.

In the public sector, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is expanding AI services to assist with administrative tasks such as welfare reviews, police field response, and procurement. Local governments like Yongin are implementing AI diagnostic systems to ensure the safety and reliability of smart city technologies, while Daejeon's Jung-gu district is training department heads to lead AI-driven administrative transitions.

In education, the Incheon Metropolitan Office of Education is collaborating with Apple Korea to enhance digital teaching capabilities. Meanwhile, Pusan National University has been selected for a national project to support the AI transformation of manufacturing and port industries in the southeast region.

Industrial and commercial sectors are also seeing significant movement. Siemens is introducing an ‘Agentic Enterprise’ strategy to move AI from simple data analysis to active task execution in manufacturing. KT has launched the ‘Everyone’s AI’ consortium to provide accessible AI services to the public. Additionally, Daedong is partnering with vocational schools to train specialists in AI-based smart agriculture.

On a strategic level, the Ministry of Science and ICT has restructured its leadership, appointing key officials to oversee AI policy and support the National AI Strategy Committee in coordinating cross-departmental projects.