Minister Baek Kyung-hoon's First Field Activity 'Will Create AI Bio National Strategy'

[Financial News] Minister Baek Kyung-hoon of the Ministry of Science and ICT embarked on AI bio promotion as his first field activity after taking office. The plan is to prepare an 'AI Bio National Strategy' that makes cancer or dementia treatment easy and fast by combining AI with basic science.
On the 21st, Minister Baek held a 'Meeting for AI Bio Promotion' at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) Seoul Bio Hub in Hongneung, Seoul, and emphasized, "The Ministry of Science and ICT is preparing an AI Bio National Strategy," adding, "The field where the most synergy can be achieved when combined with AI is the bio field, and AI and bio are being combined worldwide." 
He said, "I was contemplating the first place to visit after taking office," adding, "Although I think there will be many difficulties in bio field research, which requires more than 10 years of research and investment, I believe that Korea's tech companies have grown significantly, and there is a future for Korea." 
Minister Baek added, "If AI is well combined with bio, research can be done faster and more easily," and "I believe that if it goes beyond existing AI data and collaborates with experts, it can achieve good results and have global competitiveness." 
In particular, he expressed the need for a practical data base through a Korean model outside the general foundation model. The government plans to support parts that are difficult for private development to develop a bio-specialized foundation model.
He said, "In the United States, challenges are being made to develop new cancer vaccines through collaboration between humans and AI, and the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is also funding," and conveyed plans for linkage with research institutes, collaboration with pharmaceutical companies for demonstration, and infrastructure construction.
Minister Baek also stated, "We need to sharpen and polish the weapon we have, AI, and focus on innovation in basic science and industry through AI rather than the AI model itself," adding, "We will set AI's main target, and one of them is the bio field, challenging to become 'World's No.1 in AI Bio Field'."
Minister Baek showed interest in the investment status of bio companies, outbound cases, and technology differentiation strategies of domestic bio companies while touring major bio companies at Seoul Bio Hub. He said, "Although we are preparing various policies related to the AI Bio National Strategy, I will refer to many opinions through this meeting to determine the policy direction."
At the meeting, Minister Baek and AI bio-related academia, research, and industry officials attended, visiting resident companies such as Curebus and conducting presentations and discussions on the present and future of AI bio.
jiany@fnnews.com Reporter Yeon Ji-an