Minister of Science and ICT: "Super-large AI is Key to Industrial Competitiveness... Challenging Global No.1 from Healthcare"

Lee Jong-ho, Minister of Science and ICT, announced plans to challenge for the world No.1 position in specialized AI fields such as medical care using Korean-language super-large artificial intelligence (AI) application services.

At the joint briefing on the realization plan of the Digital Platform Government held on the 14th, Minister Lee said, "Super-large AI will disruptively innovate the digital industry itself and become the core of industrial competitiveness by increasing productivity in knowledge work across all industries such as medical care, finance, and law," adding, "We will start targeting the global market from non-English speaking countries with the Korean-language platform where we have strengths, and challenge for the world No.1 position in AI specialized fields with innovative super-large AI application services."

Minister Lee Jong-ho of the Ministry of Science and ICT (left), Chairman Ko Jin of the Presidential Digital Platform Committee (center), and Chairman Ko Hak-su of the Personal Information Protection Commission are briefing at the digital platform government realization plan report meeting held at the Government Seoul Office press conference room on the 14th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

He specifically explained that there is competitiveness in the medical field. Minister Lee stated, "We can do better than English-based content in details related to Korea," and added, "For example, Korea has digitized medical data earlier than other countries and accumulated professional data. Such data constitutes a very important pillar in super-large AI models." He further said, "I also think that a strategy to become No.1 in the world with such specialized fields is effective."

The Ministry of Science and ICT is promoting the ‘Super-large AI 5 Major Flagship Projects’ that integrate super-large AI into private specialized areas such as law, medical care, psychological counseling, culture and arts, and academic research to assist experts' work, aiming to create an industrial innovation ecosystem through super-large AI.

Minister Lee also hinted at the possibility of meeting Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, who sparked the global generative AI craze with ChatGPT. CEO Altman is scheduled to visit major countries including Korea around May to June through the 'OpenAI Tour 2023.' Although the specific schedule has not been announced, he plans to meet with policymakers as well. Regarding this, Minister Lee said, "If an official meeting request is made, I am willing to meet."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.