President Lee: AI's successor will be 7 advanced technologies

President Lee Jae-myung has declared that seven cutting-edge technologies will serve as the next engines of South Korea's economic growth, emphasizing the need to prepare for the post-artificial intelligence era. These initiatives, dubbed the "7 SEED Projects," are designed to capitalize on the current momentum in the AI sector and secure future economic competitiveness.

"We must utilize the golden opportunity created by the semiconductor industry to prepare for the next wave of economic drivers in the AI era," President Lee stated during a briefing on the "Future Growth Engines, 7 SEED Projects" held at the Blue House. He asserted that these seven advanced technologies represent not only the next generation of economic growth but also crucial national strategic assets.

The seven key technologies identified are small modular reactors (SMRs), nuclear fusion, renewable energy, quantum technology, space and aviation, advanced biotechnology, and advanced materials and supply chains. The government views these as vital for maintaining South Korea's leading position in the global technological landscape.

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We must utilize the golden opportunity created by the semiconductor industry to prepare for the next wave of economic drivers in the AI era. The seven advanced technologies, the 7 SEED projects, will be the next generation growth engines for our economy and crucial national strategic assets.

During the briefing, ministries including the Ministry of Science and ICT presented their plans for nurturing these technologies. The SEED acronym stands for "Strategic Emerging Engines for Disruptive innovation," highlighting the government's focus on investing in technologies with the potential for significant disruption and growth.

The projects are categorized into three main areas: Future Clean Energy, Next-Generation Frontier, and Advanced Supply Chains. Future Clean Energy focuses on developing and commercializing SMR, fusion, and renewable energy technologies. The Next-Generation Frontier area will concentrate on quantum, space, aviation, and advanced biotechnology, while the Advanced Supply Chain initiative aims to build a robust ecosystem for securing critical minerals and materials.

President Lee stressed the importance of proactive measures, stating, "Whether we become leaders enjoying infinite opportunities or pursuers constantly exposed to the risk of falling behind depends on our choices." He pledged increased national investment in education and research and development to ensure South Korea not only keeps pace but leads in these critical future industries.

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Whether we become leaders enjoying infinite opportunities or pursuers constantly exposed to the risk of falling behind depends on our choices.