Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung highlighted Friday his vision for building an artificial intelligence (AI)-based society where everyone uses it as basic infrastructure like "water and sewage systems." Lee made the remark during his meeting with Masayoshi Son, founder and CEO of Japanese internet giant SoftBank Group, as they discussed partnership in advanced technologies and other areas.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee expressed his aim to create an AI-based society where every citizen, business, and organization can at least make basic use of AI. He emphasized the importance of utilizing AI capabilities as a basic infrastructure accessible to everyone, similar to water and sewage systems. Lee also sought Son's insight on the latest AI trends, including concerns over an AI bubble, recalling how Son had previously offered valuable suggestions to former South Korean Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Moon Jae-in.

Lee reiterated South Korea's commitment to becoming one of the world's top three AI powers, recognizing both the risks and benefits of AI. He stated that the nation is investing with the goal of minimizing risks while maximizing usefulness. Lee also thanked Son for his assistance in past tariff negotiations with the United States, and stressed the importance of AI cooperation with Japan, requesting Son to facilitate such partnerships with Tokyo.

When discussing artificial super intelligence (ASI), Son noted its far more advanced intelligence, stating that its emergence is only a matter of time. He emphasized that comparing human intelligence to AI would become meaningless and advocated for a new mindset focused on harmonious coexistence with AI, dismissing fears that ASI would pose a threat to humanity.