Korea should gather AI geniuses by offering robust incentives

Ha Jung‑woo, senior secretary for AI future planning (Yonhap)

During the Cabinet Meeting on Thursday, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung approved a revision to the enforcement ordinance of the Special Act on Support for Science and Engineering Fields.

He also inquired about the current situation regarding the overseas outflow of research personnel. He instructed officials to “look into ways to attract outstanding foreign talent, as long as it does not worsen domestic employment conditions.”

Although Lee didn’t explicitly mention artificial intelligence (AI), it is one of the key sectors most in need of top talent.

The AI industry is an area of intense global competition among major countries. Since 2008, China has been implementing its Thousand Talents Plan to nurture experts in AI and other science and technology fields.

David Sacks, the White House’s AI czar, even stated that half of the world’s AI researchers are Chinese, which poses a serious threat.

Recently, U.S. tech giant Meta Platforms Inc. reportedly offered a $100 million bonus to recruit a core talent from OpenAI, known for ChatGPT.

In contrast, Korea is facing not only a shortage of AI talent – partly due to a skew toward medical school admissions – but also concerns over brain drain.

According to a report by the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in 2023, Korea ranked fourth among the 38 OECD countries in net AI talent outflow (0.36 per 10,000 people).

In 2020, Korea had a net inflow (0.23), but now more are leaving than coming.

Earlier this month, Harvard’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs ranked Korea only ninth in AI competitiveness, citing a lack of talent and investment as the main reasons for its lag behind the U.S. and China.

The causes of brain drain include insufficient financial compensation, performance evaluations that overly emphasize short-term results, inadequate research infrastructure, and a hierarchical seniority-based system.

The 52-hour workweek policy also discourages passionate individuals, contributing to the talent exodus from Korea.

In AI, the idea that a single well-trained expert can support an entire nation is a reality.

The government must actively pursue a wide range of policies to nurture and retain AI talent.

One proposal by Seoul National University’s College of Engineering – to select 1,000 researchers and provide them with exceptional treatment – deserves serious consideration.

Creating a culture that tolerates failure and fosters a sense of mission among researchers is equally vital.

If Korea truly aims to become one of the top three AI powerhouses, there is no alternative but to gather geniuses through robust incentives and support.