President Lee Jae Myung delivered the opening address at the Gyeongju Arts Center, emphasizing the summit's themes of connectivity, prosperity and innovation as leaders from economies representing 61 percent of global GDP gathered for the two-day forum.
"[South] Korea will propose an artificial intelligence initiative at this summit," Lee said. "Innovation is the foundation and core means of future growth, and the key to driving sustainable development today is artificial intelligence."
He drew parallels between ancient Korean astronomical achievements and modern AI capabilities. "Just as the Cheomseongdae observatory read the movements of stars based on data, AI will become an engine of intelligence that provides new insights and direction for humanity based on data," Lee said.
Lee outlined South Korea's recent developments in AI-related policies including discussions at the trade ministers' meeting in May and the establishment of an AI Strategy Committee in September.
"We are building an AI highway and are about to implement the Basic Act on AI, which will balance industrial development with responsible use of artificial intelligence," he said.
The president also invoked the spirit of ancient Silla Kingdom, which ruled from Gyeongju for about a millennium. "Despite hegemonic competition and external pressure during the Three Kingdoms period, Silla never stopped exchanging and opening up to external cultures," Lee said. "I am convinced that Silla's spirit of daily renewal connects with the values of this APEC summit."
Trump highlighted plans to revive American shipbuilding through partnership with South Korea. "Today, we're not really building ships and we're going to start. We're going to have a very thriving shipbuilding industry and we're working with South Korea very much," he said.
Regarding the Philadelphia Shipyard, Trump said it would become "one of the most successful yards in the world."
The CEO summit, themed "Bridge, Business, Beyond," will focus on regional economic integration, AI and digital transformation, sustainability, finance and investment, and bio-health sectors.
South Korea's major conglomerate heads attended the opening ceremony, including Samsung Electronics chairman Lee Jae-yong, Hyundai Motor Group chairman Chung Eui-sun, and LG Group chairman Koo Kwang-mo. SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won, who leads business lobby Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, serves as the summit's chair.
International participants include Deloitte CEO David Hill, Google APAC Vice President Simon Kahn, and Amazon Web Services CEO Matt Garman. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is also among the participants, scheduled to give speech on Friday.
reporter
Kim Dong-young
davekim0807@ajupress.com
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