Private AI Think Tank Launches, Bridging Government and Startups

The domestic startup industry has launched a private think tank to innovate the paradigm of the artificial intelligence (AI) policy-making process. The aim is to move away from the existing bureaucracy-centric policy-making structure and directly reflect the vivid voices from the field. The Korea Startup Forum (KOSPO) announced that it has officially launched the 'AI Think Tank' with 17 AI startups, aiming not just to be a simple consultative body but to provide professional advice and proposals on government policies. The core logic behind the launch of this think tank is clear. A significant number of KOSPO member companies are accumulating vast amounts of data through AI-based services, acting as key 'data dams' for the national AI ecosystem. The understanding that effective institutional improvements and industrial development are only possible if these companies directly participate in the policy-making process formed the background. Initial participating companies include leading players from various fields, such as Lunit in medical AI, MegazoneCloud in cloud services, and Zigbang in real estate platforms, showcasing a wide diversity of AI application areas. TWC CEO Park Min-young will lead the initiative, while Koo Tae-eon, KOSPO's Vice Chairman for Policy, will provide policy and legal advice, thereby strengthening its expertise. The AI Think Tank will begin full-scale activities next month, planning to hold discussions with key bodies including the Presidential Office, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee. The main agenda will focus on resolving regulatory difficulties experienced in the field and removing institutional barriers to ensure high-quality data can be actively utilized in AI development. KOSPO announced an ambitious plan to expand the number of participating companies to 100 by the end of the year, aiming to grow into a core hub for the AI startup ecosystem. Han Sang-woo, Chairman of KOSPO, emphasized the importance of closely connecting startup-led innovation with government policy at a time when AI is becoming central to national competitiveness. He expressed high expectations that this think tank would play a crucial role in addressing the long-standing issue of communication gaps between policy and the field.