Seoul: A recent three-part series by the JoongAng Ilbo, "Peace Odyssey: On the Frontlines of China's AI Revolution," provided an in-depth exploration of the strides made by Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) companies amid U.S. sanctions. The Shanghai-Hangzhou corridor, often referred to as China's Silicon Valley, is burgeoning with innovative firms targeting the global market. In Hangzhou, tech giant Alibaba plays a significant role in everyday life, seamlessly integrating mobile payments, online retail, and cloud services into the fabric of society. The saying, "Chinese citizens don't fear leaving their wallet at home - they fear their phone battery dying," aptly captures this digital transformation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, China is now ranked second in AI globally, following the United States. The Global AI Index, published by Tortoise Media in Britain, awarded China a score of 53.88 out of 100, while the U.S. achieved a perfect score. Despite this disparity, China's rapid advancements indicate a potential closing of the gap. In a bold move, DeepSeek, a Chinese company, recently open-sourced a reasoning-based AI model, posing a significant challenge to the U.S.-dominated AI landscape.
DeepSeek is part of the "Six Little Dragons" of Hangzhou, a group that includes companies like DeepRobotics and BrainCo. These firms are pioneering the "AI Plus" concept, where AI integration spans various sectors. Their innovations, such as four-legged robots and smart prosthetics, are already making waves in international markets.
The swift progress in China's AI sector is supported by coordinated efforts from both central and regional governments. In response to the 2017 defeat of top Go player Ke Jie by Google's AlphaGo, Beijing designated AI as a national strategic focus. The "Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan" provided the necessary framework to develop talent and infrastructure for sustained AI growth.
For the Peace Odyssey delegation, the pertinent question was: "What about Korea?" President Lee Jae Myung's administration has set its sights on positioning Korea among the top three global AI powers. Key initiatives include a 100 trillion won ($73 billion) investment program, the deployment of over 50,000 GPUs, and the creation of a nationwide AI data center network, all of which aim to keep pace in the global tech race.
Korea's robust manufacturing sector offers a promising foundation for its own "AI Plus" model. However, challenges remain, as Korea currently ranks sixth in the Global AI Index with a score of 27.26. To achieve its goals, President Lee's administration must navigate several hurdles. It is crucial to maintain a stable energy infrastructure, particularly a reliable electricity supply. Moreover, while national aspirations are significant, moves to phase out nuclear power, as advocated by the Democratic Party, could impede progress. The government should also reconsider the 52-hour workweek policy, which may not align with the demands of high-intensity knowledge sectors like AI. In contrast, China's "996" work schedule (9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week) remains prevalent in cities like Hangzhou and Shanghai.
The coming three years will be pivotal in determining whether Korea can translate its AI ambitions into reality. The time for decisive leadership and effective implementation is now.