AI to Power Bio, Nuclear Fusion, and Secondary Batteries... Ministry of Science and ICT Launches 'Science Technology AI' Development

22.5 Billion Won to Be Invested Through 2029

Specialized AI Models for Six Core Sectors to Be Developed

From Drug Discovery and New Materials to Disaster Prediction and Nuclear Fusion Operation

AI to Serve as a Catalyst for the 'K-Moonshot' Research Innovation

The Ministry of Science and ICT is embarking on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) models specialized in national strategic technology fields such as bio, nuclear fusion, nuclear power, and secondary batteries. The plan is to shift the conventional research and development (R&D) approach—which has traditionally relied on researchers’ experience and trial-and-error—to an AI-based methodology, thereby accelerating scientific discoveries and technological innovation.

On June 4, the Ministry held a kickoff meeting for the “AI+Science & Technology (S&T) Innovation Technology Development Project,” officially launching a project to drive research innovation in science and technology using AI.

Reference photo to aid understanding of the article. The Asia Business Daily DB

This project is a core initiative within the government’s ongoing AI-based research innovation strategy. Its goal is to develop specialized AI models for national strategic technology sectors, including bio, materials, chemistry, earth science, nuclear fusion, nuclear power, and secondary batteries. The government plans to invest a total of 22.5 billion won from 2026 to 2029.

Selected research projects will bring together experts from each field, as well as AI and data specialists. The projects will also be supported with high-performance computing infrastructure such as GPUs and environments for utilizing research data. The developed AI models and data will eventually be made available through an open platform.

AI Drives Research Innovation from Drug Discovery to Nuclear Fusion

In the bio field, Dr. Dongkwan Shin’s research team at the National Cancer Center will develop an AI that predicts drug responses by integrating data from cell lines, organoids, and animal experiments. This is expected to enhance the efficiency of identifying new drug candidates and conducting preclinical research.

In materials and chemistry, Professor Changyun Son’s research team at Seoul National University will develop an AI model that predicts the properties of next-generation polymers and electronic materials, and designs new materials optimized for target performance.

In earth science, Professor Seunggi Min’s research team at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) will build a Korea-specialized AI model using integrated climate and disaster data to strengthen the analysis of complex disasters such as heatwaves, floods, and earthquakes.

In the field of nuclear fusion, Professor Eunmi Choi’s team at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) will develop an AI-based digital twin technology to predict plasma states in real time. For nuclear power, Professor Seungjun Lee’s team at UNIST will build an AI platform to automate safety assessments of next-generation reactors, including small modular reactors (SMRs).

In the secondary battery sector, Professor Jeongil Choi’s research team at Yonsei University will develop an AI platform that integrates data on materials, electrodes, and battery cells to predict performance and safety.

The Ministry of Science and ICT expects that the AI models and data developed through this project will become the core foundation for securing a technological gap in national strategic technology fields and for advancing the “K-Moonshot Project.”

Kyungsook Yoon, Director-General of Basic Research Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, “The AI models and data developed in the six core areas will serve as a catalyst for the K-Moonshot Project. We will actively support the full-scale deployment of AI in research to accelerate scientific discoveries and innovation.”

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