Science ministry hosts forum on AI cooperation with nine countries

The science ministry said Tuesday it hosted the 12th Global ICT Leadership Forum in Seoul on Wednesday, bringing senior government representatives from nine countries together to build practical partnerships on artificial intelligence and digital cooperation.

Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Panama, Egypt, Uzbekistan and Nepal sent high-level delegations to the event at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul, held jointly with the National Information Society Agency. About 100 people attended, including Vietnam's science and technology minister, a Philippine information and communications technology vice minister, the head of Bhutan's GovTech Agency, officials from related organizations and representatives of AI companies.

The forum, whose theme was "International Digital Co-prosperity through Practical AI Transformation Partnership," examined the constraints developing countries face in adopting and using AI. Discussions drew on Korea's national digital innovation experience and the private sector's technology to identify cooperation suited to each country's conditions and needs.

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

First held in 2015 and now in its 12th edition, the forum has drawn 103 senior policymakers at the minister and vice minister level from 59 countries.

The ministry and the agency plan to use the discussions to strengthen international partnerships and continue developing mutually beneficial digital and AI cooperation with participating countries.