During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting taking place in Gyeongju, South Korea, the nation”s Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it will formalize an agreement with the United States aimed at enhancing cooperation in the scientific sector. This agreement, titled the Technology Prosperity Deal, will be signed by Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon and Michael Kratsios, the head of the White House”s Office of Science and Technology Policy.
The deal emphasizes the importance of increasing “omnidirectional” collaboration in various scientific fields, especially as emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and synthetic biology gain prominence. The South Korean ministry highlighted that this partnership seeks to promote prosperity for future generations, improve the quality of life in both nations, and strengthen the existing alliance between South Korea and the US.
Specific areas of cooperation outlined in the agreement include accelerating the utilization and innovation of AI technologies across multiple industries. Both nations intend to develop policies and frameworks that support a shared AI ecosystem not only in Asia but also in other regions. Additionally, the countries will collaborate on the export of dependable AI technologies while ensuring the promotion of safe AI-driven innovations.
Further, South Korea and the United States plan to enhance their partnership in sectors such as next-generation communications, pharmaceutical supply chains, quantum innovation, and space exploration. Minister Bae remarked that the memorandum of understanding symbolizes a commitment to cooperation aimed at ensuring the prosperity of future generations, in line with the deal”s title.
South Korea is eager to expand its scientific exchanges with the US, building on previous collaborations, including its partnership with OpenAI. Earlier this month, President Lee Jae Myung held a meeting with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to explore further opportunities for collaboration in AI, as South Korea aspires to establish itself as a leading AI hub in Asia.
