The South Korean government has unveiled plans to invest in an ambitious artificial intelligence (AI) project aimed at bolstering the nation’s expertise in areas where it already holds a dominant position, such as battery electrolytes. The move is intended to further solidify the country’s industrial lead in these sectors amidst the rise of generative AI machines that specialize in fields like medicine, law, and other disciplines.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on Thursday its intention to apply for a preliminary feasibility study for the “super gap” project, which aims to develop core AI technologies. With an estimated total cost of 480 billion won ($364 million), the five-year project will commence in 2025 under the leadership of the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation. Originally slated to begin this year, the promising AI technology development project has now been integrated into this new comprehensive initiative.

The project’s primary objective is to secure “super gap” technologies in both the public and industrial sectors using AI, positioning Korea as a global powerhouse in technology development. Before the project’s launch, the government conducted an extensive analysis of about 700 case studies from various industries and academia to better understand demand for support in terms of AI-driven technology development. The analysis helped identify 120 tasks in which Korea possesses global competitiveness based on its existing capabilities.

The selected tasks in the public sector focus on current domestic and global issues, as well as areas that directly impact the public’s quality of life, such as bio-health, transportation, mobility, finance, culture, and commerce. In the industrial sector, the emphasis is primarily on energy and manufacturing, designated as AI domains for national strategic technologies.

As the project aims to tackle complex challenges using AI, the government has set a target of achieving at least 12 “super gap” technologies out of the identified 120 tasks, positioning Korea as a global leader in those fields. The key to developing these technologies lies in leveraging AI tools effectively.

“For instance, in the case of batteries, the risk of explosion, charging capacity, and time can vary based on the composition of the electrolyte. By optimizing simulations using AI tools, significant time and effort can be saved during development and testing,” explained the institute.

Each task will be assigned a team comprising domain experts and AI specialists who will collaborate over the next three years to explore how AI tools can enhance domain-specific expertise and technologies. The research budget allocated to each task amounts to up to 2 billion won per year.

For domains lacking specific expertise, dedicated AI researchers will provide support for the project. The AI talent pool consists of 158 professors and researchers who have participated in the government’s AI innovation hub initiative.

The government also plans to establish an AI research center to facilitate ongoing domain-specific AI research beyond the scope of individual tasks. Collaboration with renowned international AI research centers will also be pursued.

The ministry emphasized that this project distinguishes itself from previous AI research initiatives, as it incorporates specific domains and addresses industry demands. In April, the ministry outlined its strategy to enhance national competitiveness in the hyperscale AI industries, with Science and ICT Minister Lee Jong-ho expressing the government’s aspiration to become the global leader in specialized fields through innovative hyperscale AI services.

By Pulse

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