South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT is joining hands with Google DeepMind to cooperate on AI-based science and technology innovation. The sides will also work together to develop talent and establish AI safety governance.

The ministry met Demis Hassabis (데미스 하사비스), co-founder and chief executive officer of Google DeepMind, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul on April 27 and signed a memorandum of understanding focused on joint research in science and technology AI, AI talent development and responsible AI use.

The agreement was signed at the symbolic point marking the 10th anniversary of the AlphaGo versus Lee Sedol match in 2016. Google DeepMind is a global AI research organisation that created a symbolic turning point in AI technology development with AlphaGo and demonstrated AI's potential use in science and technology with AlphaFold. Hassabis also jointly won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for AlphaFold's achievement in solving the long-standing challenge of predicting protein structures.

The ministry is pushing 'K-Moonshot', an AI-based science and technology innovation project. Through the agreement, the two sides will build a foundation for cooperation across technology, infrastructure and researcher exchanges. They will cooperate in a range of fields including life sciences, weather and climate, and AI scientists, and they will invigorate joint research and researcher exchanges centred on the National Science AI Research Center scheduled to start operations in May this year.

Deputy Prime Minister and Science and ICT Minister Baek Kyung-hoon (배경훈) said, "I am confident that the science field can definitely be innovated with AI." He said South Korea will pursue various cooperation efforts with Google DeepMind to raise research productivity.

He added, "I hope we can continue AI research together (with Google DeepMind) to reduce the risks when AI is used incorrectly." He said he expects Google DeepMind to join in an AI-based society.

Under the agreement, the ministry and Google DeepMind will also provide internship opportunities to expand global research experience for South Korean AI talent. Google plans to establish an AI campus in South Korea to strengthen cooperation with academia, research institutions and startups, and to serve as a hub linked to K-Moonshot.

Cooperation in AI safety and governance was also included in the agreement. The sides will pursue joint research on AI safety frameworks and model safeguards. They will discuss evaluation and testing methodologies in connection with the AI Safety Institute.

Baek said, "AI is advancing to a stage where it solves difficult science and technology challenges and has a tangible impact on people's lives." He said, "This agreement will serve as a momentum for science and technology AI innovation and the spread of responsible AI."

Hassabis said, "The era of AGI, general artificial intelligence, will arrive in 5 years." He said he was very pleased to sign the agreement as the major transition approaches. During his visit to South Korea, Hassabis will meet Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Hyundai Motor and LG Electronics to discuss expanding partnerships.

Hassabis also said, "We will expand cooperation in areas such as bio innovation and weather forecasting, and we will contribute to building protection systems for the development of responsible AI."

The two organisations held a meeting of AI experts after the MOU signing ceremony. The sides plan to form a joint working group to implement the agreement and to continue discussions on detailed tasks through quarterly video conferences and annual in-person meetings.

Hassabis met President Lee Jae-myung (이재명) on the same day. Lee and Hassabis discussed ways to cooperate on AI, including AGI.