[123rf]
[123rf]

South Korea's project to develop a homegrown AI foundation model may be heading for a significant change in direction, according to industry watchers.

The Ministry of Science and ICT is conducting a comprehensive review of how the project — formally known as the Independent AI Foundation Model Development Project — should proceed, including whether to carry out its third round of evaluations as scheduled, Yonhap reported Monday.

Among the options under consideration is the establishment of an SPC to develop a frontier AI model, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Debate over the project's future course has surfaced repeatedly both inside and outside the government.

Deputy Prime Minister and Science and ICT Minister Bae Gyeong-hun said at the second Science, Technology and AI Future Strategy Conference on Aug. 27 that the second round of evaluations had left something to be desired when measured against global standards. "It is time for fundamental reflection on whether the evaluation and competition framework established a year and a half ago still holds up against AI trends that are shifting every three to six months," he said, adding that the government would review ways to concentrate investment and strengthen the evaluation system.

Bae also stressed what he called "speed accountability" rather than "speed moderation" — a counterpoint to calls from global big tech firms to slow the pace of AI development — and pledged to press ahead without disruption on the homegrown AI foundation model project, the "AI for All" initiative, a security-specialized model project and a frontier AI model project. He also signaled that the government would soon unveil the next phase of the foundation model project and the broader direction for developing South Korea's frontier AI model.

Industry observers widely expect that even if the third round of evaluations proceeds on schedule, the overall project landscape will be reshaped to place greater emphasis on frontier AI development.

The Ministry of Science and ICT said in a statement Monday that the government "deeply recognizes the need to concentrate funding support for the development of top-tier AI models," but added that "no decisions have yet been made regarding the suspension of the independent AI foundation model project or the establishment of an SPC for top-tier AI model development."


kimstar@heraldcorp.com