MSIT Holds ‘2025 AI and Digital Native Debate Competition and Paper Competition Awards Ceremony’

The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) announced on the 9th that it held the ‘2025 AI and Digital Native Debate Competition and Paper Competition Awards Ceremony’ at 2 p.m. on the 8th at the International Conference Room of the Paiknam Academic Information Center & Library, Hanyang University. The event was organized to share insights from youth and young adults on key issues in the era of AI transformation, strengthen communication and research capabilities, and foster public discourse in civil society.
Prior to the awards ceremony, the final round of the ‘AI and Digital Native Debate Competition’ took place. The debate competition included middle school, high school, and university students who advanced through a document screening in August, online debates in September, and semifinals on the 25th of last month. Participants engaged in lively discussions on core issues of the AI era, such as ‘AI and job transformation,’ ‘AI algorithm bias,’ and ‘AI hallucinations.’
In the middle school division, Team Giserro (Moon Jung-a, Kim Ye-rin) won; in the high school division, Team Transparent Bubble (Lee Sol-woo, Choi Eun-hyuk) took first place; and in the university division, Team Hantomak (Kim Ye-jin, Jang Min-hyuk) claimed victory. Each received the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Award. Professor Youngjun Sa of Sogang University, who served as a debate judge, praised the participants for delivering outstanding debates based on in-depth exploration and logical reasoning, despite the challenging topics.
The ‘AI and Digital Paper Competition’ received a total of 41 submissions on topics such as ‘AI and job transformation,’ ‘AI algorithm bias,’ and ‘AI hallucinations.’ After two rounds of review, the top prize went to Shin Kyojun of the University of Reading for the paper ‘How to Verify Bias and Hallucination in Generative AI: RCT-Based AI Reliability Verification and Proposals for Inclusive Governance and Policy.’ In his presentation, Shin Kyojun examined the reliability of large language models like ChatGPT, discussed policy responses, and suggested technical standards and monitoring directions for the adoption and use of AI.
Outstanding papers included ‘A Macroeconomic Dynamic Model-Based Analysis of the Economic Impact of AI Technology Shocks’ by Kim Gwan-hee (Korea University), Kim Min-gi (KAU), and Kim Seok-hwan (Yonsei University), and ‘Institutionalizing the Right to Track, Notify, and Opt-Out of Training Data for Creators in the AI Era’ by Lee Eun-joo (CHA University).
The winning debate teams received the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Award and prize money ranging from 1 to 3 million KRW. A total of 11.2 million KRW in prize money was awarded to all teams that reached the semifinals. For the paper competition, the top prize winner received the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT Award and 3 million KRW, while each outstanding paper was awarded 2 million KRW, totaling 7 million KRW in prize money.
Jinsoo Lee, Director of AI Policy Planning at MSIT, stated, “This event was a meaningful opportunity to hear the creative and innovative ideas of young people who will lead the future of the AI and digital society. MSIT will faithfully reflect the challenges and solutions proposed by the next generation in AI and digital policies and contribute to realizing a fundamental AI society.”

solidkjy@fnnews.com Gu Ja-yoon Reporter