[ROUNDTABLE] Korea urged to engage with both US, China on AI, but draw clear lines

Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a critical battleground in the escalating competition between the United States and China, presenting South Korea with a significant challenge. Balancing the dominance of Washington in cutting-edge AI and China's expanding influence in consumer-driven open-weight and open-source models, Korea must navigate this complex geopolitical landscape.

The Korea Times organized a roundtable discussion, titled "Beyond U.S.-China AI race: Korea’s strategic edge," bringing together the nation's foremost AI experts to deliberate on the best course of action.

Kim Sung-han, a former national security adviser and professor emeritus at Korea University, emphasized the need for Korea to differentiate between civilian AI applications and technologies utilized for national security. He called for high-level consultations between the presidential office, Cheong Wa Dae, and the White House to establish clear guidelines and collaborate on AI development strategies.

Rep. Lee Jun-seok from the Reform Party of Korea underscored the importance of fostering domestic innovation and nurturing a thriving AI ecosystem within South Korea. He advocated for increased public investment in research and development, as well as encouraging collaboration between academia, industry, and government to stimulate growth in AI-related sectors.

Lim Jong-in, the former presidential cybersecurity adviser and chair of Soongsil University's AI committee, stressed the necessity of implementing robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard both consumer AI applications and national security systems. He stressed the importance of maintaining secure communication channels and protecting sensitive data from potential cyber threats.

Lee Do-kyung, the CEO of Bone AI, highlighted the immense potential of open-source AI models in driving innovation and competition within Korea's technology industry. He stressed the need for a balanced approach that supports both domestic AI development and engagement with global players like the United States and China.

Bone AI CEO Lee Do-kyung emphasized that open-source AI models offer tremendous opportunities for fostering innovation and competition within South Korea's technology sector. He stressed the importance of striking a balance between nurturing local AI development and maintaining strategic engagement with both the United States and China.