LG and Google: "Success in the AI Era Lies in Collaboration"... LG AI Research Institute Focuses on Independent Foundation Model [Gyeongju APEC]

LG AI Research Institute: "We Will Contribute to AI Transformation"
Simon Khan of Google Stresses 'Innovation and Responsibility'
Tech Leaders Speak with One Voice on 'AI Collaboration'

Hongrak Lee, Director of LG AI Research Institute, emphasized at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit on October 30, "Korea possesses outstanding AI talent and core technologies, and is fully capable of building a competitive, independent AI foundation model."

That afternoon, the CEO Summit session titled "Next-Generation AI Roadmap for Sustainable Innovation" was held at Gyeongju Arts Center. During the panel discussion, Hongrak Lee introduced the AI model research and development achievements of LG AI Research Institute and shared his vision to contribute to AI transformation (AX) across all industries in Korea by developing an independent AI foundation model.

He stated, "We are not stopping at building general-purpose AI models, but are focusing on integrating AI models into LG's bio, electronics, and chemical businesses. We continue our research not just for LG, but also for all Korean companies and our global clients."

Hongrak Lee, Director of LG AI Research, is discussing the topic "Next-Generation AI Roadmap for Sustainable Innovation" at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit held on the 30th at Gyeongju Arts Center in Gyeongbuk. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

He further emphasized, "Through the independent foundation model development project, we will create a highly capable and competitive foundation model, and release it as open source to share with the global community."

Director Lee pointed out, "Open-source language models alone are not sufficient. It is difficult to know what data and technologies were used to implement the models. Because it is challenging to tune data using someone else's black box, performance degradation issues can also arise."

He added, "To address this issue, we are developing an automated tool, an 'automatic data generation program,' to support many of our partners."

Simon Khan, Chief Marketing Officer for Asia-Pacific at Google, delivered the keynote speech and presented three principles for advancing AI: bold innovation, responsibility, and international collaboration.

Nitin Mittal, Deloitte Global AI Leader; Hongrak Lee, Director of LG AI Research Institute; Yangbin Wang, CEO of Bobile; and Simon Khan, Google Asia-Pacific CMO (from left), are discussing "Next-Generation AI Roadmap for Sustainable Innovation" at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit held on the 30th at Gyeongju Arts Center, Gyeongbuk. Photo by Jinhyung Kang

He highlighted Google's achievement in driving medical innovation by deciphering complex protein structures with AI technology, stressing, "AI must act with social responsibility and bring benefits to future generations."

He then proposed collaboration with partners in the economic sector to build a better future. Vice President Khan stated, "Currently, Samsung supplies the core memory that powers our technology, and Google supports the AI agents of SK Telecom and LG Uplus."

He emphasized, "Success in the AI era is only possible if we all work together," and urged, "Let us boldly and responsibly build an AI nation together."

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