As the United States and China engage in a competitive race for artificial intelligence (AI) dominance, South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT is taking steps to secure leadership in Physical AI. The ministry announced the launch of the second phase of the Physical AI Alliance, focusing on the development of a 'K-Physical AI Full Stack' that integrates domestic AI semiconductors, AI models, robotics, sensors, and data centers while fostering an ecosystem for industrial data.
During the launch event on June 19 at The Plaza Hotel in Seoul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Baek Kyung-hun stated, "The technological competition between the U.S. and China is no longer someone else's issue. As seen in the export restrictions on Anthropic's Mitos5 and Fable5, without securing our own AI capabilities, we will inevitably rely on technologies from other countries."
He added, "Physical AI presents a new opportunity for our country to leap forward as a global leader. We must focus all our efforts on securing industrial data and building a synthetic data ecosystem."
The launch event was attended by over 200 participants, including Deputy Prime Minister Baek, lawmakers Jeong Dong-young, Choi Hyung-doo, and Hwang Jeong-ah, KOSA President Cho Jun-hee, and heads of various organizations such as the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) and the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP), along with experts from academia and industry.
The Ministry of Science and ICT had previously launched the first phase of the Physical AI Alliance in September 2025. The initial phase served as a starting point for public-private collaboration in the Physical AI sector, identifying key tasks to invigorate the domestic ecosystem. Discussions during this phase highlighted the need for a collaborative framework that extends beyond technology development to include industrial application, standardization, and security.
In response, the ministry has launched the second phase with the goal of supporting the entire cycle from Physical AI technology development to field application, construction, and operation through a 'Physical AI Total Solution Platform.'
The second phase will focus on three main directions. First, it aims to establish the 'K-Physical AI Full Stack,' which will reduce reliance on foreign solutions by organically connecting domestic AI semiconductors, AI models, software, robotics, sensors, and computing infrastructure to create a self-sufficient foundation for core Physical AI technologies.
Second, the initiative will enhance the 'Physical AI Total Solution Platform,' which is crucial for supporting actual industrial applications. This platform will expand its role to encompass a comprehensive cooperation framework that includes telecommunications, system integration, data centers, security, standards, certification, and operations.
The goal is to apply Physical AI across various industries, including logistics, agriculture, healthcare, defense, administration, and disaster safety, by strengthening the collaborative platform that connects industry-specific demands with technological supply capabilities.
The alliance's operational structure has also been revamped. The ministry and KOSA will jointly lead the initiative to closely connect government policy support with private sector execution capabilities, enhancing operational momentum.
Additionally, the committee structure has been reorganized into ten divisions, including the K-Physical AI Full Stack Division (technology independence), the Vertical Industry Bridge Division (domain expansion), and the Governance Foundation (standards and security), with action groups established under each division to facilitate project development.
Furthermore, the alliance plans to collaborate closely with related alliances. In the manufacturing sector, it will work with the M.AX Alliance to connect the technologies and project outcomes from the Physical AI Alliance with on-the-ground demands.
Deputy Prime Minister Baek expressed hope that the second phase of the Physical AI Alliance will serve as a foundation for future industrial expansion and advancement.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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