Science ministry backs physical AI alliance as industry seeks testbeds

The science ministry said Tuesday that Deputy Prime Minister Bae Kyung-hoon met the Physical AI Alliance in Seoul, pledging to connect corporate projects with government research programmes and policy financing as the country pushes to lead in technology that puts artificial intelligence to work in factories.

Bae, who also serves as minister of science and ICT, attended the Physical AI Tech Week at Coex in southern Seoul and held a meeting with the alliance. The alliance entered its second term in June and is organised into three subcommittees covering full-stack technology, industry bridges and governance, along with working groups.

About 20 people attended, including co-chairman Cho Jun-hee, head of the Korea Artificial Intelligence and Software Industry Association, along with subcommittee chairs, working group leaders and officials from partner and operating organisations.

The meeting reviewed progress on securing homegrown full-stack physical AI technology, identifying demonstration and commercialisation tasks in manufacturing, defence and maritime industries, and building the ecosystem through standards and international cooperation. The alliance also opened its official website, www.paia.kr, to coincide with Physical AI Alliance Day.

"Physical AI is one of the three mega-projects that will lead South Korea's future, alongside semiconductors and AI data centers," Bae said. "In a situation where international competition is in full swing, what matters is who first creates and spreads technology that works on industrial sites."

He added that combining the country's AI and information and communications technology capabilities with its world-class manufacturing base would secure enough competitiveness in physical AI to become the world's leading power.

Industry and research representatives at the meeting asked for more opportunities to demonstrate products, closer links between buyers and suppliers, data standardisation and shared access to data, a larger pool of skilled workers, and better connections to investment and commercialisation.

Bae said the shift from discussion to execution meant tangible results were needed, and that the government would link the work of relevant ministries with policy financing to support corporate project planning, demonstrations and commercialisation.

On Wednesday, a Physical AI Tech Day will be held under the theme "Intelligence into Action," featuring keynote speeches from domestic and foreign experts, technology presentations, a talk concert and a technology exhibition.