Insider Brief

• South Korea inaugurated its National AI Research Hub at the Seoul AI Hub, aiming to foster world-class AI research, global collaborations, and innovation in areas such as neural scaling laws and robotics foundation models.
• The hub will host international researchers and hold regular seminars, supporting Korea’s ambition to become one of the top three global AI leaders while promoting public-private partnerships and academic-industry synergies.
• The initiative complements broader government efforts, including the upcoming AI Safety Institute and calls for swift enactment of the AI Basic Act to balance innovation with safety in Korea’s journey to lead the global AI landscape.

PRESS RELEASE — On October 28, the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), led by Minister Yoo Sang-im, and the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), under President Hong Jin-bae, hosted an opening ceremony for the National AI Research Hub at the Seoul AI Hub.

The opening ceremony was attended by key government and political figures, including Minister Yoo Sang-im, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, National Assembly Member Shin Dong-wook, Secretary to the President for AIㆍDigital Transformation Lee Kyung-woo, Seoul Metropolitan Council Chairperson Choi Ho-jung, and Seocho District Mayor Jeon Sung-soo. Also present were leaders from academia and industry, such as President of IITP Hong Jin-bae, KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung, Vice President for Research at Yonsei University Lee Won-yong, and Vice President for Research at Korea University Yoo Hyuk, and related organization representatives, with a total of over 100 participants in attendance.

The National AI Research Hub is envisioned as Korea’s premier center for AI research, based at the Seoul AI Hub (approx. 7,000 square meters, with plans to expand to 7,600 square meters by 2025). The hub will support dynamic interactions among leading domestic and international researchers, enabling world-class research collaboration, nurturing AI leaders, and building a cohesive ecosystem spanning industry, academia, and research, supported by an advanced online platform.

The hub will also host researchers from esteemed institutions in various countries such as the United States, Canada, France, and the UAE for extended periods to engage in groundbreaking AI research, including projects on surpassing the limits of the Neural Scaling Law and developing foundation models for robotics. The hub will further bolster global AI networks by holding regular international seminars.

* Research on surpassing the limits of the Neural Scaling Law aims to develop innovative learning methods and models that achieve exceptional performance and efficiency beyond the cost-performance constraints associated with AI training and operation.

* Development of foundation models for robotics seeks to significantly enhance key components of next-generation AI robots, including perception, decision-making, and control, to support advanced autonomy.

During the ceremony, dignitaries, including Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and KAIST President Lee Kwang-hyung, celebrated the hub’s successful launch and voiced their strong support for public-private partnerships as Korea strives to become one of the world’s top three AI nations.

KAIST President Lee stated, “We hope this space will promote collaboration and foster innovative AI research among both domestic and international researchers.” Mayor Oh Se-hoon added, “Seoul will fully support the National AI Research Hub to become a global center that attracts the best AI experts.”

In his keynote address, Professor Kim Kee-eung of KAIST, Director of the National AI Research Hub, outlined the hub’s operational strategy. Professor Pascal Poupart from Canada’s University of Waterloo and the Vector Institute delivered a presentation titled “AI: The Technological Singularity,” discussing the future of AI development and the hub’s role.

The event concluded with attendees touring the hub’s research facilities and engaging in discussions about current preparations and future plans for international AI research collaborations.

Recently, the Korean government has launched key AI initiatives. Following the September inauguration of the National AI Committee, chaired by President Yoon Suk Yeol, and the Global AI Frontier Lab in New York (bridging U.S.-Korea AI research), the October opening of the National AI Research Hub further solidifies Korea’s determination to become a global AI leader.

Next, Korea plans to launch an AI Safety Institute in November to systematically address the risks of advanced AI, reinforcing its pursuit of joining the AI G3.

To support these initiatives, the government aims to ensure balanced development in AI growth and safety by advocating for the prompt enactment of the AI Basic Act, encouraging the National Assembly to engage in swift legislative action.

Minister Yoo Sang-im stated, “The successful launch and innovative operation of the National AI Research Hub mark a new milestone in our nation’s AI development.” He emphasized, “To promote the AI industry, establish trust, and achieve Korea’s goal of becoming one of the world’s top three AI powers, it is essential for the National Assembly to expedite the AI Basic Act’s passage. The government will actively support this effort.”

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82–44–202–4034, E-mail: [email protected]) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.

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