{
  "id": 16720712,
  "title": "Korea should not sacrifice AI boom over chip dependence fears: IDB economist",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/korea-should-not-sacrifice-ai-boom-over-chip-dependence-fears-idb",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-27T07:12:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/economy/20261027/korea-should-not-sacrifice-ai-boom-over-chip-dependence-fears-idb-economist"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Korea should embrace the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven semiconductor boom instead of slowing down progress due to worries about its heavy dependence on chips, according to Laura Alfaro, the chief economist of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). She emphasized that it's not wise to jeopardize AI growth simply because it's unpredictable, and suggested finding ways to adapt. \"The game is AI, and Korea is outpacing other countries,\" Alfaro stated during a press conference.\n\nShe drew parallels between Korea's reliance on semiconductors and the \"resource curse\" prevalent in Latin America, where economies heavily dependent on natural resources are susceptible to fluctuations in commodity prices. Similar to how minerals and oil prices can vary significantly, so too can the prices of semiconductors. To navigate such cycles, Alfaro recommended implementing stabilization funds and enhancing structural flexibility to bolster economic resilience.",
  "summary": "Korea should capitalize on the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven semiconductor boom rather than curb growth over concerns about its heavy reliance on chips, while building economic resilience through stabilization funds and greater structural flexibility, according to the chief economist of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Tuesday. \"I wouldn't kill the goose that lays the golden egg.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Bank of Korea warns country's chip exports could fall by up to $100 billion if AI spending slows",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/bank-of-korea-warns-countrys-chip-exports-could-fall-by-up-to-100",
        "published": "2026-10-27T02:17:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Straits Times Business",
        "title": "Bank of Korea warns country’s chip exports could fall by up to US$100 billion if AI spending slows",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/bank-of-korea-warns-countrys-chip-exports-could-fall-by-up-to-us-100",
        "published": "2026-10-27T03:18:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Bank of Korea warns country's chip exports could fall by up to $100 billion if AI spending slows",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/bank-of-korea-warns-countrys-chip-exports-could-fall-by-up-to-100-16703290",
        "published": "2026-10-27T03:22:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "AI chip boom tripled South Korea's economic growth in the third quarter",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/ai-chip-boom-tripled-south-koreas-economic-growth-in-the-third-quarter",
        "published": "2026-10-27T09:19:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}