The Ministry of Science and ICT, led by Minister Bae Gyeong-hoon, announced on September 2 that the Presidential Decree on the “Establishment and Operation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Committee” was approved at the Cabinet meeting. As a result, the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Committee is newly launched as a strategic organization under the direct control of the President.
As global AI competition intensifies to a state-level battle, the United States has announced plans to invest 700 trillion won in the “Stargate Project,” while the European Union (EU) plans to invest 300 trillion won. The government explained that in this environment, it is necessary to mobilize national capabilities to push forward with the national agenda of “becoming one of the top three global AI powerhouses.”
The committee, chaired directly by President Lee Jae-myung, will function as a control tower for national AI policy, beyond just an advisory body. Its review and decision-making scope includes establishing a national AI vision and mid- to long-term strategies, coordinating policies and projects between departments, and monitoring policy implementation and performance management.
The composition has been significantly strengthened. The number of committee members has increased from 45 to 50, and the number of vice-chairpersons has increased from one to three. One civilian vice-chairperson will be a full-time position. The committee secretary will be the AI Future Planning Chief Secretary to the President. Government members include ministers from 13 departments, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Industry, and the Personal Information Protection Commission.
Under the committee, the AI Official Council will be established. The chairman, appointed by the President, will consist of vice ministers from central ministries and deputy mayors and governors from metropolitan governments. The council will support major policy coordination and project promotion.
Bae Gyeong-hoon, Minister of Science and ICT, said, “The establishment of this Presidential Decree provides the institutional foundation for the construction of a national AI control tower,” and added, “As the dedicated department, we will focus all our capabilities to ensure that our country becomes one of the top three AI powerhouses.”