The Ministry of Science and ICT on Aug. 4 hosted the inaugural Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting of digital and artificial intelligence ministers at the convention center Songdo Convensia in Incheon's Yeonsu-gu District. Minister Bae Kyunghoon is shown holding the news briefing of the event. (Ministry of Science and ICT)
By Lee Dasom
The inaugural Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting of digital and artificial intelligence (AI) ministers led by Korea has adopted a statement on AI and digital cooperation.
The Ministry of Science and ICT on Aug. 4 said it hosted the event at the convention center Songdo Convensia in Incheon's Yeonsu-gu District. The meeting was chaired by Minister Bae Kyunghoon and attended by senior economic officials such as Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy of the U.S.
Under the theme "Digital and AI Transformation toward Prosperity and Sustainable Growth for all," the meeting comprised sessions on innovation, connectivity and safety.
The first session "Facilitating Digital and AI Innovation to Address Socio-economic Challenges" shared model cases of AI, digital policy and innovation and discussed creative solutions that use emerging digital technologies -- particularly AI -- to raise economic productivity and efficiency and take on social challenges.
The second session "Enhancing Digital Connectivity for All" highlighted the need to bridge the digital divide, raise digital skills, and attract more investment in AI-enabled cloud services and next-generation communications infrastructure.
And the final session "Creating a Safe, Secure and Reliable Digital and AI Ecosystem" reviewed measures to counter AI-driven digital threats like deepfakes and misinformation. Member economies agreed on the importance of global cooperation to ease these dangers and build a secure and reliable digital ecosystem.
"The statement holds a significance as leading economies, such as the U.S. and China, agreed upon AI policy directions amid fierce competition to take the lead in the global AI race," the ministry said in a news release. "The statement will serve as a guideline for future AI and digital cooperation among APEC member economies."
In line with this meeting, the ministry is hosting Digital Week (July 28 to Aug. 6) that includes the 71st regular session of the APEC Telecommunications and Information Working Group, private sector dialogue and workshops, as well as the Global Digital & AI Forum on Aug. 5 with the World Bank at the hotel Sheraton Grand Incheon.
dlektha0319@korea.kr