

By Lee Min-hyung



Korea is lagging far behind China and Japan in competitiveness of the artificial intelligence (AI) workforce, as weak local research infrastructure causes an outflow of AI experts here, a Seoul-based research institute said Sunday.



According to a survey on 30 AI experts here, Korea's AI manpower competitiveness index came in at 5.2 on a 10-point scale. By placing the index of the United States at 10, China scored 8.1 points. Japan also edged out Korea with six points, according to the survey by the Korea Economic Research Institute.



The brain drain was one of the major factors driving down the nation's AI competitiveness in the global industry, the research body pointed out. It said Korea's AI workers opt to start their careers in other countries, such as the U.S. and China where high salaries and better research environment are guaranteed.



With AI gaining international attention as one of the most promising emerging technologies, local research institutions have also in recent years started offering AI education. But as the scale of investment into the area is not that huge, compared with the aforementioned countries, most doctoral-level experts here choose to go abroad in search of more and better opportunities, according to the survey.



Expanding AI education infrastructure topped the list of solutions for the nation to enhance its AI competitiveness, the survey also showed. Other recommendations also included a lifting of regulations that get in the way of technological innovation and new industrial growth.



An AI expert said on condition of anonymity that weak research infrastructure here makes experts feel less motivated to push ahead with their research here.



"A high level of regulations particularly on collecting datasets in Korea comes as the biggest hurdle for local AI experts to enhance their competitiveness here," the expert said.



"Big data is at the center of AI, but the local legal system prevents any research bodies from collecting huge datasets, citing personal data protection."



The government identifies AI as one big growth area, but it has so far failed to set a clear long-term vision to enhance the nation's AI competitiveness, the expert said.



"There is no representative image when it comes to the AI vision in Korea," he said. "The government only underlines the need to develop the area, but nothing specific can be found in the drive. The first thing the authority should do is to set a concrete future for growth in the emerging industry."



