Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Launched Defense AI Center Implementation Group

Private sector members were appointed by Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup

Encouraged focused efforts to gather specialized expertise

PI Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup is delivering a speech at the ceremony marking the launch of the Defense AI Center Implementation Group and the appointment of private sector members at the Defense Ministry building on May 19. Image courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense.

On May 19, the Defense AI Center Implementation Group was launched to pave the way for the development of the Defense AI Center, a dedicated institution that will play a key role in constructing a robust military grounded in AI and advanced science and technology.

During the ceremony marking the launch of the Defense AI Center Implementation Group and the appointment of private sector members, Defense Minister Lee underscored the group's objective of designing the organization, defining roles and composition, and fostering a strong collaborative framework for defense AI involving the private sector, government, and military.

He encouraged the Implementation Group to actively utilize their specialized knowledge and expertise, emphasizing their role as pioneers and explorers in the field of defense AI.

The Defense AI Center aims to consolidate the development and operation of the defense AI system, which is currently dispersed among various military branches, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and defense research institutions. Its purpose is to create an advanced and innovative defense through the integration of advanced science and technology. The Center is scheduled to be operational by 2024.

The Defense AI Center will have the mandate to strategize AI projects, establish data and platforms, and develop systems for their efficient and prompt implementation.

The Implementation Group will have co-leaders, Yoo Dong-jun, head of the Office of Military Force and Resources Management at the Ministry of National Defense, and Lee Seung-sup, a professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). It will be staffed by members from the MND Defense AI Center Implementation Team and part-time private sector specialists. The group will oversee operations until the opening of the Defense AI Center.

The group of twelve private sector specialists consists of individuals such as Seo Seung-woo, a professor at Seoul National University, along with personnel from industries, universities, and research institutes who possess extensive experience and expertise in the fields of data, AI, and unmanned and autonomous systems.

The Implementation Group will determine the objectives and operational approaches of the Defense AI Center, taking into account the unique features of AI technology and the rapid advancements in private sector technology. This will enable the Defense AI Center to offer consistent support in AI-related technologies.

Additionally, the Implementation Group will provide input on data, security and acquisition systems to facilitate the swift integration of private sector AI technology into the military. They will also support the implementation of AI in the military by conducting technical assessments and offering guidance on AI project requirements identified by the military.

During the inauguration ceremony of the Defense Innovation Committee on May 11, President Yoon Seok Yeol emphasized the need for the defense sector to keep up with the rapid advancements in science and technology. This includes the timely incorporation of new technologies. The appointment of leading private sector specialists to the Implementation Group highlights the significance of collaboration between the military and the private sector.

Yoo Dong-jun, head of the Office of Military Force and Resources Management and co-head of the Implementation Group, emphasized the necessity of incorporating AI technology from the private sector to rapidly enhance the military's high-tech combat capabilities. He stated that this collaboration is not optional, but essential. KAIST professor Lee Seung-seop acknowledged the significant responsibility of the Implementation Group and expressed his commitment to ensuring the effective operation of the Defense AI Center as a leading institution in defense AI.

By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >

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