The government has launched the 'Everyone's AI Growth Ladder Project' to enhance the artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities of the entire nation. The initiative aims to establish a step-by-step support system for education, development, validation, and entrepreneurship, enabling citizens to learn and utilize AI as easily as they do the Korean language, thereby laying the groundwork for an 'AI basic society.'
The Ministry of Science and ICT held the launch ceremony for the 'Everyone's AI Growth Ladder Project' on August 3 at the National Gwangju Science Center. This project is part of the broader 'Everyone's AI Normalization' policy.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Baek Kyung-hun stated at the launch, "A new era has opened where everyone can learn AI like the Korean language and apply it in their daily lives and work." He emphasized that creating an AI basic society, where all citizens can effectively utilize AI and benefit from it, is as crucial as expanding AI infrastructure.
Baek further noted, "We have reached a point where we must think about what to do with AI, rather than just learning it. We must not miss the golden time of the AI revolution. The Everyone's AI Growth Ladder Project is the first step toward an AI basic society." He added that since individuals may find it challenging to learn and utilize AI alone, a system connecting education, practice, validation, and entrepreneurship has been established.
Baek remarked, "The attention from governments and global tech giants to Korea's AI industry and investment environment signifies that our country is emerging as a global AI hub." He mentioned that the government is building a full-stack AI ecosystem that encompasses AI semiconductors and services, with collaboration between the government and businesses.
Representative Jo In-cheol emphasized the need for sufficient computing infrastructure to support education, stating, "To open an era where all citizens can use AI in their daily lives, we need to expedite the construction of the dedicated AI data center for neural processing units (NPU) that Gwangju is pursuing."
Representative Lim Moon-young noted, "Korea is moving beyond being a mere supplier of memory semiconductors to a nation that helps design global AI strategies. It is essential to support the younger generation and students in learning AI naturally and nurturing new dreams."
Representative Jeong Jun-ho stated, "Everyone's AI is significant in allowing citizens to directly experience how AI can change their lives. AI should not be seen as a difficult and unfamiliar technology but as something that everyone can easily access and utilize." He expressed hope that the AI lounge at the National Gwangju Science Center would become a space where not only young people but all citizens can easily and conveniently experience AI, pledging to actively support the stable advancement of the project in collaboration with local lawmakers and the scientific community.
Additionally, outstanding development teams identified through the Everyone's AI Lab and Lounge will receive close support for initial startup consulting and commercialization in areas such as law, marketing, and technology, ensuring that excellent ideas lead to youth entrepreneurship.
On the same day, attendees observed project demonstrations and visited educational and discussion venues at the National Gwangju Science Center's Everyone's AI Lounge for the Jeolla and Jeju regions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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