Science ministry opens AI challenge for climate disaster services

The science ministry said it is launching a public challenge for AI and digital responses to climate disasters and social problems affecting communities and young people.

The Ministry of Science and ICT is organizing the 2026 AI and Digital-Based Social Problem-Solving Challenge with Hanguk Jineung Jeongbo Sahoe Jinheungwon. It has two divisions: service development for entries that build AI and digital services, and idea discovery for proposals identifying ways to tackle the issues. The program will use private cloud resources to respond to national crises.

It is open to anyone interested in addressing damage caused by heavy rain and other climate disasters, or social issues involving regional communities and young people. Applications will be accepted from Aug. 21 through Sept. 30, with 10 final teams to be awarded in December.

"A flood-response idea proposed through an earlier contest was implemented as an actual service through public-private cooperation with relevant government bodies and navigation companies, contributing to protecting people's lives. We hope active participation by people with fresh ideas and development capabilities will bring a range of AI and digital services that solve social problems, like the flood-response service," Hong Seong-wan, the science ministry's communications policy director, said.