South Korean President Urges International Cooperation on AI as He Visits the US

South Korean President's visit to the United States has seen him actively pushing for an independent deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and a strategic positioning in the supply chain. Experts analyzing the situation say that while pursuing AI independence, the government should also deepen international cooperation with various countries to firmly establish its footing in the fiercely competitive AI landscape.

AI has become a strategic high ground that various countries are vying for, ranging from the foundation of chips, computing power, to the upper echelons of models and applications. Governments worldwide are hastily laying out their plans and investing vast resources to secure a favorable position in the global AI supply chain. South Korea, leveraging its existing strengths in semiconductor memory and technology manufacturing, is actively seeking to establish a strong footing in the global AI supply chain, showcasing a strong sense of ambition.

The concept of "AI independence" refers to a country's aim to reduce its excessive reliance on external entities in key technologies, computing capacity, and data, thereby ensuring its own industrial and security interests. However, in the highly globalized reality of division of labor, complete independence is difficult to achieve. The delicate balance between independence and cooperation has become a pressing challenge for countries formulating their AI strategies.

Experts advise that in this high-stakes competition that demands massive investment, talent, and technological accumulation, single-handed efforts are unlikely to prevail. Cooperation with like-minded countries and integration and division of labor in the supply chain have become increasingly important. If South Korea can strike a balance between independent research and development and international cooperation, it will be more likely to carve out its own path in the competition.

Given its pivotal role in the global AI supply chain, Taiwan's advanced semiconductor wafer manufacturing capabilities make its neighbor South Korea's AI layout a closely watched development. The complex interplay of competition and cooperation between nations will, in turn, impact Taiwan's industry positioning, orders, and investments in the AI era.