Industry ministry launches research council on AI and corporate future

The industry ministry on Tuesday launched the Research Council on AI and the Future of Enterprises to harness private expertise for navigating the artificial intelligence revolution.

Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak outlined three core tasks during the inauguration ceremony: how firms should respond to the AI era, how to cultivate suitable talent, and how to transform corporate talent utilization systems. He emphasized that South Korea must prepare quickly, flexibly and boldly to remain a leading manufacturing power in an age where speed determines survival.

"In this era of 'speedster' survival, we must prepare for future industries rapidly, flexibly and boldly so that South Korea can remain a manufacturing powerhouse leading the AI era," Moon said. He added that new discussions are needed on working hours, efficient personnel deployment and mobility, and performance-based compensation to match changing concepts of labor.

The council is chaired by Ahn Dong-hyun, a professor at Seoul National University, with Lee Jun-young of Sungkyunkwan University and Lee Sang-hee of Korea Polytechnic University serving as division heads. Its membership spans diverse fields including economics, management, engineering, law and talent development.

The group plans to hold intensive meetings over the next two months to produce a private-sector-led policy proposal covering corporate response strategies and talent education. After gathering additional feedback from labor, management and experts, the final recommendations will be submitted to the ministry.