Data ministry discusses AI-driven statistics with OECD, ADB

SEOUL, September 15 (Yonhap) — The South Korean Ministry of Data and Statistics hosted a workshop on Tuesday with representatives from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The three-day event gathered approximately 80 data experts from 25 countries across the Asia-Pacific region to explore the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in data production, management, and utilization.

Throughout the event, attendees exchanged ideas on leveraging statistics in the AI era, focusing on the Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMX) standard. This global standard enables various systems to exchange data using uniform formats, making it crucial for AI to comprehend the meaning and context of figures in the AI era.

Vice Data Minister Lee Myoung-ho emphasized that in the AI age, a data's worth lies not in its volume but in its AI-friendliness, enabling AI to grasp the significance and context of the data. Lee expressed optimism that the workshop would facilitate the sharing of experiences, challenges, and opportunities between countries to enhance the use of data for governments and citizens alike.

The Ministry of Data and Statistics pledged to foster further collaboration with the OECD, ADB, and other international organizations in response to evolving global data standards in the AI era.