Science ministry hosts 12th Global ICT Leadership Forum with nine countries

The science ministry said Tuesday it held the 12th Global ICT Leadership Forum in Seoul, bringing senior government delegations from nine countries together with Korean agencies and AI companies to discuss practical cooperation on artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

The forum, organized with the National Information Society Agency, took place on Sept. 30 at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul. Delegations from Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Egypt, Uzbekistan and Nepal attended, along with representatives of related organizations and AI firms — about 100 people in all.

This year's theme was "Global Digital Co-Prosperity through Practical AX (AI Transformation) Partnership." Discussions focused on the constraints and policy challenges developing-country governments face when introducing and using AI, and on cooperation suited to each country's conditions and needs, drawing on Korea's national digital innovation experience and the technology capabilities of its private sector.

First held in 2015, the forum is in its 12th edition this year. The ministry said 103 minister- and vice-minister-level policymakers from 59 countries have taken part over that period, making it a flagship digital ODA cooperation platform for Korea.

"We must build a new dimension of global digital order suited to the rapidly changing AI era," Second Vice Minister Ryu Je-myeong said in a welcoming address. "Korea hopes to expand cooperation with each country as a digital partner that grows together, going beyond the role of a simple donor."

The ministry and the agency said they plan to strengthen the global partnership on the basis of the discussions held and to keep developing mutually beneficial digital and AI cooperation with the participating countries.