President Lee Jae Myung on Sept. 8 announces the role of the newly launch National AI Strategy Committee at the latter's launching ceremony held at Seoul Square in the capital's Jung-gu District. (Yonhap News)

By Yoon Sojung

The National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy Committee, a government control tower to help the country emerge as one of the world's top three AI powers, was launched on Sept. 8.

As the nation's top body for AI strategy, the committee reviews, decides and coordinates all aspects of national AI policy. President Lee Jae Myung is the chair and some 50 members include Rep. Lim Munyeong of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, who is also head of his party's special committee on digital affairs.

In the June 4 presidential election, President Lee pledged to bolster the committee's role and personally lead AI governance in the country.

"The Republic of Korea stands at the point of great historical inflection to decide if it stays a follower in danger of elimination or emerges a leader with unlimited opportunities," he said at the committee's launching ceremony that afternoon at Seoul Square in the capital's Jung-gu District.

"Cutting-edge technologies such as AI, a core driving force that determines national competitiveness and future prosperity, are tantamount to national and economic power and consequently security capacity."

"If we hesitate or grow complacent, we cannot avoid the triple whammy of technical reliance, industrial decline, and worsening inequality and social polarization," he added. "If we boldly move forward and lead the future, AI will emerge as the key to advancing all sectors and upgrading our quality of life to lead the Republic of Korea toward an era of new prosperity."

"The vision of becoming one of the world's top three AI powers is a key survival strategy that decides the future of the Republic of Korea," he said, suggesting four strategies to achieve this goal.

The four he mentioned were "AI for all," or inclusive and human-centric AI accessible by everyone; a "one team" strategy representing the public and private sectors led by the latter with government backing; balanced AI development through equitable development of all regions; and equal dissemination of the results through an AI-friendly system for all of society.

In a closed-door meeting after the ceremony, committee members discussed and approved the direction of the government's AI action plan and construction of a national AI highway through the launch of a national AI computing center, as well as report on subordinate statutes of the Basic Act on the Development of Artificial Intelligence and the Establishment of Foundation for Trustworthiness.

Seoul's AI action plan to make the country of the world's top three AI powers has three policy axes: an innovative AI ecosystem, nationwide AI-based transformation and contribution to a global AI-based society. The committee will devise and release the plan by November, covering key tasks for 12 strategic sectors and implementation by each ministry.

arete@korea.kr