[ROUNDTABLE] Korea needs AI-ready ontology, should not end with developing models

Korea must broaden its AI strategy beyond simply developing advanced models, according to experts gathered at a roundtable discussion titled "Beyond US-China AI race: Korea's strategic edge." The participants emphasized the need to cultivate AI-ready knowledge systems, infrastructure, and a regulatory environment that facilitates practical AI applications.

Building ontologies, or structured knowledge systems that organize vast amounts of government data, institutional knowledge, and their relationships, was identified as a crucial step. These ontologies enable AI systems to comprehend and utilize the information effectively.

One participant, Reform Party of Korea Representative Lee Jun-seok, highlighted the importance of focusing on national ontologies rather than distributing free chatbots to the general public. He argued that the government's primary goal should be to drive Korea's AI transformation through the establishment of comprehensive national ontologies.

The discussion also underscored the necessity of creating a sandbox environment where AI-powered technologies could be tested and deployed under a more adaptable regulatory framework. This approach would allow for greater experimentation and innovation in the field of AI within Korea.