Defense chief stresses push for AI technology application in military

SEOUL -- Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back emphasized on Wednesday the military's push towards a transformative application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology across all defense sectors, aiming to cultivate an elite armed force. During a forum on defense AI strategy, Ahn stressed the ministry's efforts to transition the military into an AI-driven and unmanned system-based structure to better adapt to the future warfare environment and address the challenge of a dwindling troop count.

The defense chief stated that the military is committed to developing a "sovereign AI" to reduce reliance on foreign technology and mitigate potential data leaks.

Experts at the forum underscored the necessity of establishing a robust legal and institutional framework for defense AI to ensure its credibility and safety. A draft legislation outlining procedures for the rapid deployment of AI technology in the military and measures to guarantee AI credibility is presently under evaluation in the National Assembly's defense committee. The forum convened approximately 150 representatives from various military branches, the state arms procurement agency, and the National Assembly.