A recent feature by a German news outlet highlighted Korea’s burgeoning AI scene, showcasing innovative uses of artificial intelligence across various sectors. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
BERLIN, Feb. 14 (Korea Bizwire) – A recent feature by a German news outlet highlighted Korea’s burgeoning AI scene, showcasing innovative uses of artificial intelligence across various sectors.
The report marveled at the sight of an avatar, crafted with AI assistance, greeting guests at hotel check-ins, easily mistaken for a living person even upon closer inspection.
Titled “Korea Refuses to Stand Still,” the piece delves into how South Korea, once dominated by conglomerates like Hyundai and Samsung, is reinventing itself.
The country is finding novel solutions to address labor shortages and loneliness, positioning itself at the forefront of technological innovation.
One of the standout examples is Seoul’s ‘Midnight A21′ bus, described as “the world’s first autonomously driven bus to be put into regular operation, not just test runs.”
Launched last December, the service has reportedly received positive feedback from passengers and experienced no accidents during its initial eight weeks.
The article contrasts Korea’s aggressive adoption of digital textbooks and chatbot care services in over 80 local governments with Germany’s cautious approach towards digital education.
Following disappointing results in the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Germany has seen debates on educational reform met with skepticism from conservative factions wary of digital solutions.
Care services, especially for the elderly, present a significant challenge in Germany due to workforce shortages. The article highlights Naver’s early development of an AI system that performs welfare checks on the elderly, suggesting that the lack of such innovative care solutions in Germany is perplexing from a Korean perspective.
Furthermore, the piece notes that major Korean tech firms like Kakao and Naver are running their own AI language models, emphasizing the importance of maintaining AI sovereignty against big tech companies.
Eom Yeol, the Director-General of the AI Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT, was quoted underscoring the strategic significance of securing AI autonomy.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
