[COVER STORY] Korea's 2-track AI strategy casts uncertainty over sovereign model project
The government has been working to develop a national artificial intelligence (AI) foundation model, while planning to launch a separate effort to develop frontier models. This two-track strategy is raising questions: Why is the government pushing the new project and how will it draw the line between the two programs? The Ministry of Science and ICT confirmed that the ongoing AI foundation model…
![[COVER STORY] Korea's 2-track AI strategy casts uncertainty over sovereign model project](/img/13651150)
Korea's government is pursuing a dual approach to artificial intelligence, simultaneously developing a national AI foundation model and a separate frontier models initiative. This two-pronged strategy has sparked questions about the government's rationale and the delineation between the two projects. The Ministry of Science and ICT has confirmed that the foundation model project will undergo a third-stage evaluation, with two finalists anticipated to be chosen in February.
Additionally, the government intends to invest 4.7 trillion won ($3.5 billion) in a frontier AI program, slated to commence in March 2027. The division stems from the government's apprehension that rapid global AI advancements have made the foundation model project's original objectives more challenging to attain. However, scrapping the project could jeopardize the ecosystem and capabilities cultivated over the past year.
Deputy Prime Minister and Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon has firmly dismissed rumors of the foundation model project's cancellation, affirming that the national AI foundation model project remains active.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
