- Ministers discuss innovation across the full lifecycle of AI and other emerging technologies, from R&D to adoption and wider use
- Korea explores expanded cooperation in AI, science and technology with key partners
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) announced that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Bae Kyung-hoon attended the G20 Innovation Ministers’ Meeting in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States, on September 1, as Korea’s head of delegation.
The G20 is a forum for major economies to discuss international economic cooperation. Each year, the G20 presidency holds ministerial meetings across various sectors ahead of the leaders’ summit. Until last year, the Research and Innovation Ministers’ Meeting and the Digital Economy Ministers’ Meeting were held separately. This year, the United States, which holds the G20 presidency, combined them into the G20 Innovation Ministers’ Meeting to help translate AI and other emerging technologies into economic growth and industrial innovation.
The meeting brought together ministers, vice ministers and other senior officials representing 20 G20 members and one invited country, Poland, to discuss policy directions for innovation in AI other emerging technologies.
* Participating G20 members: United States (presidency), Republic of Korea, Japan, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Canada, Italy, Brazil, Russia, India, China, Mexico, Indonesia, Turkiye, Australia, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, European Union and African Union
Invited country: Poland
Advancing Innovation in AI and Other Emerging Technologies, from R&D to Market
The morning session, themed “Pro-Innovation Policy Frameworks,” explored how policies can support innovation across the full lifecycle of AI and other emerging technologies, from R&D to demonstration, commercialization and market adoption. Participants shared policy experience in investing in basic research, promoting public-private partnerships, supporting technology commercialization and crating flexible regulatory environments to turn research outcomes into innovation and growth.
The afternoon sessions, themed “Technology for Opportunity and Prosperity” and “Skilled Technical Workforce Development,” focused on expanding the use of AI and other emerging technologies across the public sector and society, and developing the workforce needed for the AI era. Participants shared approaches to promoting AI adoption in the public sector, equipping technology professionals with practical skills and strengthening AI skills across the population.
Sharing Korea’s Policies for Innovation in AI, Science and Technology
In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister Bae outlined Korea’s policy priorities and experience in developing AI as a key driver of national innovation and economic growth.
During the morning session, he explained that Korea is expanding investment basic research to provide researchers with stable support, while pursuing the abolition of preliminary feasible studies for R&D projects and simplifying research administration. Korea is also expanding ambitious R&D through initiatives such as the SEED projects, which identify promising technologies for future innovation and the K-Moonshot project, which applies AI to scientific and technological research.
He added that Korea is strengthening its technology commercialization ecosystem through NEST, a collaborative body supporting deep-tech commercialization, to help research outcomes drive industrial growth. Korea is also using regulatory sandboxes and other measures to create an environment that supports innovation.
During the afternoon sessions, Deputy Prime Minister Bae introduced the AI for All Project, which supports Korea’s goal of becoming one of the world’s top three AI powers by making AI easy to use and ensuring that everyone can benefit from it. He also shared progress on the cross-government AI Transformation (AX) Project, which aims to lead public-sector innovation as AI transforms the economy and society.
To accelerate the development of Korea’s AI ecosystem, he explained, Korea is focusing its efforts on three mega projects covering semiconductors, AI data centers and physical AI. He also outlined measures to create a safe and trustworthy AI environment, including the AI Basic Act and AI Ethics Principles. In addition, he introduced nationwide AI skills programs and measures to secure skilled technology professionals in response to changes in the labor market and industrial structure.
Deputy Prime Minister Bae reaffirmed Korea’s commitment to actively contributing to a global AI ecosystem and maintaining close international cooperation. He encouraged G20 members to take an interest in and engage with Korea’s innovation and digital policy initiatives.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Bae held a bilateral meeting with Michael Kratsios, Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), of the United States, which holds the G20 presidency. They discussed key issues and opportunities in AI, science and technology and ICT.
The outcomes of the meeting will be reflected in the G20 Innovation Ministerial Statement.
“AI and other emerging technologies have moved beyond the laboratory to become key drivers of national growth, industrial competitiveness and changes in people’s lives,” said Deputy Prime Minister Bae. “Korea will accelerate AI innovation through bold investment in R&D, talent development and policies and infrastructure that support innovation. We will also actively share our experience with fellow G20 members and work with the international community to ensure that innovation in science and technology contributes to sustained growth and prosperity worldwide.”
For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division (Phone: +82-44-202-4034, E-mail: msitmedia@korea.kr) of the Ministry of Science and ICT.
Please refer to the attached PDF.