Seoul: A senior United Nations official has urged South Korea to take a leading role in helping developing countries adopt artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting Seoul's advanced digital infrastructure, skilled workforce, and effective public institutions as crucial elements for governing this cutting-edge technology.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kanni Wignaraja, U.N. Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, warned in an interview that the disparity between countries could widen in the AI era unless advanced economies such as South Korea assist nations with weaker digital foundations. Wignaraja emphasized that countries like South Korea, which have already advanced in AI, should collaborate with the UNDP to bring other nations up to speed.
South Korea's history of evolving from an aid recipient to a donor nation, coupled with its strong AI readiness, positions it uniquely to ensure AI serves as a bridge rather than a barrier in the region. Wignaraja noted that South Korea's rapid AI adoption stems from its robust digital infrastructure, digitally skilled population, and public institutions necessary for AI governance.
South Korea, now Asia's fourth-largest economy, aims to become one of the world's top three AI powers. As it pursues this goal, Wignaraja emphasized the need for South Korea to ensure that other nations also progress in the AI era. Concrete steps to make AI more inclusive include providing affordable internet access, improving digital literacy, and strengthening governance systems for responsible AI regulation.
Wignaraja, with extensive experience at the U.N. mission and UNDP since 1990, called for a stronger partnership between South Korea and UNDP, citing AI's role in responding to climate-related disasters. She highlighted how AI, combined with satellite data, enabled rapid assessments in remote or conflict-affected areas during Myanmar's earthquake.
Addressing AI inequality aligns with South Korea's economic interests, especially as Korean companies seek secure foreign investments. Wignaraja explained that investing in countries with robust digital infrastructure and informed consumers benefits both South Korean businesses and the host countries.
As the South Korea-UNDP partnership approaches its 60th anniversary, Wignaraja lauded South Korea's development as a "miraculous journey," noting the country's unprecedented postwar reconstruction. She emphasized that South Korea's strategic use of aid offers valuable lessons for other countries, particularly in the digital AI space.
Wignaraja also recognized Korea's role in supporting vulnerable countries like Myanmar, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, stressing that its development assistance extends beyond financial aid to encompass cultural and social principles. On North Korea, she expressed hope for increased humanitarian assistance, emphasizing that isolation benefits no one and that all people deserve support.