The Ministry of Science, Technology and Information and Communication announced it will carry out the 2019 AI R&D Grand Challenge.
The challenge which is broken into four stages that span into 2022. It aims to save lives quickly in complex disaster scenarios using artificial intelligence and robotics.
‘R&D Challenge’ was introduced in the AI field for the first time last year, and 753 members of 185 teams competed in two competitions under the theme of language comprehension (searching for fake news) and pattern recognition (synthetic photo screening).
This second challenge will be different in scope and duration. Step-be-step annual objectives will add up to a mid-long term competition. However, each phase of the competition will refresh entry, so failed teams can still participate. The scope of participation will be expanded to include a “global challenge” to allow non-Korean researchers to partake.
The ministry plans to select 3 excellent research teams per leg, with a total of 12 teams (first challange starts in June). The selected team will receive $0.53M USD for the first stage, and additional funding should it be required in the second stage.
The Ministry of Science and Technology is planning to hold a ‘2019 AI business briefing (including Grand Challenge)’ at the EL Tower in Yangjae, Seoul on the 9th with representatives from the AI industry and academia.