Seoul:<Text>
The new Lee Jae Myung administration has revealed an ambitious five-year economic development blueprint aimed at transforming South Korea into a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), the government announced on Friday. The plan involves a comprehensive integration of private firms and the public sector with AI to create a "super-innovation economy."
According to Yonhap News Agency, the government outlined that private companies will be at the forefront of AI development, supported by extensive policy measures designed to establish a nationwide AI ecosystem. The focus will be on developing a sovereign AI model accessible to the general public, alongside customized AI models to stimulate innovation and increase AI adoption across all sectors.
Since assuming office in June, President Lee has committed to positioning South Korea among the world's top three AI powerhouses, with a significant investment of 100 trillion won (US$71.5 billion) ov er the next five years. The government plans to initiate 30 AI-centered projects, starting with humanoid robots for logistics and expanding into manufacturing, construction, and services.
Key objectives include the commercialization of autonomous vehicles by 2027 and the development of unmanned autonomous ships by 2030. The government also aims to increase AI-based smart factories in essential manufacturing sectors, raising AI adoption in manufacturing to over 40 percent by 2030.
AI-powered drones will be developed for use in specialized sectors such as firefighting and aviation, enhancing operational efficiency. In the pharmaceutical sector, AI will be introduced to streamline the drug approval process, aiming to reduce review times.
AI will also be integrated into the public sector, initially in welfare and employment services, with plans to extend to tax administration. The government intends to launch AI-based tax consultation services by 2026 and reva mp the national taxation system by 2027 to detect potential tax evasion.
To build a skilled workforce, the government will offer customized AI education programs for various groups, including students. A national AI training data cluster integrating datasets from public and private sectors will be established.
The blueprint includes developing a Korean-language AI model with the expertise of five leading domestic companies: Naver Cloud Corp., Upstage, SK Telecom Co., NC AI Co., and LG AI Research, which were selected through a competitive process to receive state support for developing homegrown AI foundation models.
Currently, South Korea ranks between sixth and 10th globally in AI competitiveness and innovation, trailing behind the United States and China, according to various industry reports.