(Unofficial Translation)

Fellow Koreans, business leaders and specialists,

The era of artificial intelligence is dawning. Machines that can learn and think like humans and computers that can infer and understand are already among us. Products like AlphaGo, though man-made, surpass human ability and blend into the fabric of everyday life as they assist with daily activities. AI has now become the core technology in such fields of the Fourth Industrial Revolution as IoT, autonomous driving and healthcare, emerging as the central player ushering in a new future.

All countries are competing to attain a dominant position in the AI market. McKinsey predicted that by 2030, some 70 percent of companies around the world will have likely adopted AI technology and that AI’s contribution to global GDP could reach as much as US$13 trillion. We are working hard as well to take off as an AI powerhouse. Last year, a national AI strategy was announced and, today, relevant businesses and professionals are gathered here to join the people in opening the Republic of Korea’s AI era.

Our businesses have innovated in order to bring AI technology into industrial sites and our daily lives. They are proving their ability to compete neck and neck with the world by taking on bold challenges. Together with the people, we cheer on you who are the main architects of the Republic of Korea’s AI technology opening the door wide to the era of AI.

Fellow Koreans, 

A developmentally delayed infant – unable to raise his head at age three – was diagnosed and prescribed medication with the help of the AI-based diagnostic software Dr. Answer. In May, just one month into treatment, he could raise his head and crawl on hands and knees. It used to take five years on average for existing test methods to analyze more than 1,800 genes suspected of causing rare pediatric diseases and simply make a diagnosis. Dr. Answer, however, accurately identified the baby’s disease in just a few minutes. This achievement was made by businesses, hospitals and the Government coming together just a year after our announcement that “We will be able to give birth to the smartest yet most humanlike artificial intelligence.”

In the process of overcoming COVID-19, our AI technology has demonstrated unprecedented capabilities. An AI-based system “NUGU Carecall” has facilitated the detection of confirmed COVID-19 cases by calling twice a day those under self-quarantine. AI technology has been applied to various areas, ranging from distance learning and telecommuting to helping microbusiness owners tailor discount strategies to specific customer needs. The technology has also contributed to dramatically reducing the time it takes to develop COVID-19 test kits and treatments.

Our pride has grown further as the achievements of domestic businesses amaze the world. The AI-powered lung disease diagnosis software developed by Lunit, a domestic SME, is being used in 80 countries around the world, including Brazil and Italy. Naver, which made its big data public, has developed globally unparalleled AI robot technologies while helping startups and business ventures with their development of AI technology. KT launched “AI One Team” in cooperation with LG U+, Hyundai Heavy Industries and seven other entities from industry, academia and research institutes. Innovative results that go beyond the respective realms of different companies – such as hotel robots – are anticipated through joint AI research and professional training.

Beyond product innovation, Samsung Electronics aims to promote the safety of humanity through people-centered AI that includes responses to disasters and infectious diseases. The future is also very bright for Kakao, which is emerging as a corporation specializing in AI, and SK Telecom, which is set to launch our country’s first AI semiconductors for data centers. You who are making people-centered AI a reality are the genuine pioneers. I would like to show my appreciation by applauding all of you who are making big strides globally.

Fellow Koreans, businesspeople and specialists, 

The Government’s goal is not just to make the country No. 1 in AI technology but to build a country where AI enables everyone to lead happy lives. Among OECD countries, Korea ranks third in the average length of annual working hours, but in terms of labor productivity, we are at the bottom of the list. In education, our country is unmatched, but when it comes to the sense of community, the environment and work-life balance, it remains in the lower ranks. AI will be able to further enrich our lives by turning the daily conveniences that we have dreamed of into reality. It will also help create not only jobs that are directly related, such as “data processing professionals,” “digital instructors” and “AI developers” but also many new spin-off jobs.
 
After announcing the AI framework initiative and national AI strategy last year, we have been building up our basic capabilities. From this moment on, the competitiveness of the AI field will be swiftly enhanced through the Digital New Deal, the linchpin of the Korean New Deal. With a view to building a people-centered society, we will apply AI technology to all areas of society, including public administration, education, industry, healthcare, medical services, transportation and logistics. 
 
First, AI technology innovation will be accelerated. AI semiconductors, a key product, will be fostered for export like DRAMs were. We announced the strategy for the development of AI semiconductor industry in October last year and will invest one trillion won by 2029. By devising a roadmap for the improvement of AI-related laws and systems by the end of this year, we will overhaul relevant regulations and assist with business innovation.

Second, we will cultivate cutting-edge AI capabilities by nurturing talented individuals. Twelve graduate schools specializing in AI have been established so far, and the Government plans to increase the number of AI experts to a total of 100,000 through the Korean New Deal. The training of existing employees will be expanded so that workers at industrial sites can learn and utilize AI and take on the challenge of securing new professions. 

Third, we will establish a solid data utilization infrastructure. The Government helped revise three data-related laws – the Personal Information Protection Act, the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection, and the Credit Information Use and Protection Act – and enacted the framework act on intelligence and informatization, thereby building a safe data utilization system. Public data has been made more accessible to increase its utilization, and SMEs and startups are receiving assistance with data utilization. Through the data dam project, one of the Korean New Deal’s signature programs, we will connect data utilization with innovation plans in such industrial fields as self-driving vehicles, robots, smart factories and smart farms. We will also further increase the speed of data utilization.   

In closing, I would like to speak of a task we should never forget. No matter how much AI and robots raise productivity and efficiency, they will not be able to replace people. In addition to the conveniences expected from AI, we should at the same time think seriously about the dark aspects that may marginalize people. Along with economic value, the importance of people-centered value must be taken into account when planning our future.

The national ethical standards for AI to be put in place in the near future will become the starting point for establishing AI ethics. We will minimize such adverse effects as the misuse of technology, data bias and infringement of personal information and strengthen the social safety net to prevent the loss of jobs from compromising human dignity. A social consensus on how to view acts by AI, including liability when it malfunctions and causes accidents, will be formed. We will also cooperate with the international community to create a people-centered AI order. I ask businesses and professionals to work together to build people-centered AI.

Fellow Koreans, businesspeople and specialists,  

The Republic of Korea’s dream is to become a leading nation in the post-COVID-19 era – that is to say one that makes the most of AI. I hope that we will move forward together, so the Republic of Korea can grow from an IT powerhouse into an AI powerhouse and leap forward from an exemplary nation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to become a pacesetter in the post-COVID-19 era. 

We will usher in a compassionate AI era centered on people where everyone can enjoy the benefits of AI in their daily lives.

Thank you.