[In the Era of AI Tech Hegemony, Sovereign AI is the Answer]

'Sovereign AI' has now become more than a simple tech trend; it's a core strategy that will determine a nation's future. In an era of intensifying tech hegemony competition, building an independent AI ecosystem using a nation's own data and infrastructure, rather than relying on external technology, is the only way to secure true technological sovereignty. So, what exactly is Sovereign AI, and why has it become such an important topic?

What is Sovereign AI? A Complete Guide to South Korea's Tech Sovereignty Strategy

1. What is Sovereign AI?

Sovereign AI, as the name suggests, means artificial intelligence with 'sovereignty'. It aims for a specific country or organization to independently control and manage all elements of the AI ecosystem, including data, models, and infrastructure. This is about securing strategic autonomy by developing AI that reflects a nation's laws, culture, language, and security characteristics, without being dependent on AI technologies led by global big tech companies. This concept goes beyond just 'data sovereignty,' which requires data to be held domestically. Sovereign AI is a broad concept that encompasses not only data, but also the algorithms used to train AI models, the computing infrastructure (GPUs, data centers) that power them, and the policy frameworks that govern it all.

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2. Why is Sovereign AI Important?

There are several reasons why countries and companies are focusing on Sovereign AI.

• Enhanced Data Sovereignty and Security: Sensitive personal information, defense, finance, and other critical data stored on foreign servers or processed by foreign companies' AI models can be exposed to data leaks and security threats. Sovereign AI allows for the secure management and control of this data within a nation's borders.
• Securing Technological Independence: It serves as a foundation for reducing dependency on a specific country's technology and strengthening a nation's own technological capabilities, free from geopolitical risks. This is a key strategy for managing tech supply chain risks and boosting national competitiveness.
• Reflecting Cultural and Linguistic Specificity: Global AI models are primarily trained on data from English and Western cultures, which can be limited in their ability to accurately understand non-English-speaking countries or unique cultural contexts. Sovereign AI makes it possible to create customized AI that deeply understands a nation's language, culture, and social values.
• Economic Ripple Effects: The process of building a Sovereign AI ecosystem can spur the growth of related industries like AI infrastructure, software, and semiconductors, invigorating the national economy as a whole.

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3. South Korea's Steps Towards Sovereign AI

Recently, the South Korean government and major companies have recognized Sovereign AI as a key strategy that will determine national competitiveness, going beyond just a technology. Concrete steps are being actively taken to secure tech sovereignty and lead the AI ecosystem.

The Government's Sovereign AI Promotion Strategy

The government has set the goal of becoming one of the "Top 3 AI Powers" and is making the establishment of a Sovereign AI ecosystem a national priority. To bring together domestic AI technology, the government is selecting "K-AI pioneer teams" and providing them with essential high-performance GPUs for AI training and a public data hub. It is also pushing for the large-scale introduction of GPUs to secure the computing resources vital for AI model development, and deploying them in the infrastructure of domestic Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) to support AI development by Korean companies.

Major Companies' Independent Initiatives

In addition to government policy support, major domestic companies are also aware of the importance of Sovereign AI and are working to secure their own AI technologies. Naver has already proven its independent AI capabilities with 'HyperCLOVA X', a large-scale AI model specialized for the Korean language. Naver is focusing on expanding its global Sovereign AI ecosystem through a 'localization' strategy tailored to the language and cultural characteristics of each country, including Japan and the Middle East, in addition to Korea.

Furthermore, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won has emphasized the need to "create a Sovereign AI that can win in a global war," declaring AI as a core future growth engine for the group. SK Telecom has formed the 'K-AI Alliance', a coalition of promising domestic AI startups, to build a collaborative ecosystem, while SK Hynix is leading the AI semiconductor market with its HBM, laying the hardware foundation. LG AI Research is also concentrating on solving industrial challenges with its self-developed large-scale AI, 'Exaone'.

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4. Conclusion: South Korea's Challenge for Tech Sovereignty

Sovereign AI is more than a mere technology development project; it is a major paradigm shift that will determine a nation's destiny in the age of AI. It is not about simply excluding foreign technology, but an active expression of the will to independently control and advance AI that is tailored to the characteristics of our society and industries. These concerted efforts by the government and corporations will be a crucial turning point, elevating the practical competitiveness of South Korea's AI industry beyond mere discourse. It is worth paying attention to what changes Sovereign AI will bring to our society in the future, and what opportunities and challenges we will face in this process.

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