Korean tech firms have come together to establish an AI cooperation council, aiming to maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence. The “Super AI Promotion Council” was launched on Thursday as an affiliated organization under the Korea Software Industry Association (KOSA).
The council’s inauguration ceremony, held at Naver 1784, brought together approximately 90 officials, including Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho, Digital Platform Government Committee Chairman Goh Jin, KOSA Chairman Cho Joon-hee, LG AI Research Director Bae Bae-hoon, and Naver Cloud CEO Kim Yoo-won.
During a meeting held in April by KOSA, LG AI Research Institute and Naver Cloud were chosen as co-chairmen, strengthening the council’s leadership.
Kim expressed his views as a co-chairperson of the council, stating, “I will actively work towards gathering industry perspectives, addressing industrial challenges, and fostering collaboration among companies to drive the development of diverse AI-based applications. We aim to leverage the advanced technology and expertise of council members, including HyperCLOVA X, to safeguard our AI sovereignty in the global AI competition and contribute to establishing Korea as a leading digital powerhouse.”
The Super AI Promotion Council has attracted the participation of 17 companies in executive roles, including Megazone Cloud, Bespin Global, Samsung SDS, Ssangyong Information & Communications, Cloocus, KT, LG CNS, LG U+, SK C&C, and SK Telecom. Additionally, Namutech and Lotte have joined as general members. A total of 86 companies, encompassing Information & Communications, Tobe Soft, Tmax Soft, Tmax Tibero, Wise Stone, Inswave Systems, Thinkforbl, CUbox, Vibe Company, Mobizen, and Bizentro, have actively participated in the council’s initiatives.
The establishment of the Super AI Promotion Council gained momentum in the first half of this year under the Korea Software Industry Association (KOSA) initiative.
Recognizing the importance of strengthening collaboration among domestic AI companies and amplifying the industry’s voice, KOSA has actively promoted the formation of the council. 105 large and small companies, encompassing telecommunications, IT services, AI ventures, and robust startups, have joined the Super AI Promotion Council as members.
The council will play a crucial role in promoting the development of the AI industry by reorganizing key infrastructure elements, such as data and computing resources, and devising flagship AI projects to foster the creation of new markets.
Further, it is expected to catalyze various collaborations, including corporate investments, the creation of new services, and global expansion, in response to the evolving landscape of AI competition. The council’s overarching objective is to facilitate effective communication within the industry and foster the growth of the AI sector.
Dr. Lee provided an overview of the emerging trends in the super AI industry and outlined the proposed direction for the council’s initiatives, emphasizing its role as a catalyst for bolstering global competitiveness.
During the event, the Minister of Science and ICT listened to the operational plans presented by LG AI Research Institute and gained insights into the development progress and future prospects of Naver Cloud’s HyperCLOVA.
Additionally, he conducted a comprehensive inspection of the digital convergence sector, including robot cafes, dedicated robot elevators, and AI-powered health screening services.
Minister of Science and ICT Lee Jong-ho expressed, “This conference serves as an exemplary collaboration model led by the private sector and backed by the government. It is anticipated to establish a solid foundation for harnessing the strengths of Korean companies, fostering mutual growth, and making significant strides on the global stage.”
