The government has begun efforts to secure artificial intelligence (AI) talent. The Ministry of Science and ICT and four major science and technology institutes, including the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), announced on the 15th that they will hire 400 postdoctoral researchers in the field of AI convergence. A postdoctoral researcher is someone who conducts specialized research after completing a doctoral program. Each researcher will be guaranteed a research fund of 90 million won, with additional funding provided.
The Ministry of Science and ICT and the four major science and technology institutes have selected eight InnoCore research teams, such as AI bio and AI energy, for this purpose. The postdoctoral researchers will begin their work in these research teams starting in July. InnoCore signifies nurturing key research personnel that lead AI convergence into innovation.
This includes 30 billion won reflected in this year’s supplementary budget. An additional 300 billion won will be invested over the next five years. The goal is to foster advanced talent in the field of AI convergence and support the domestic research ecosystem.
The four major science and technology institutes will hold local information sessions this month in New York City, Silicon Valley, and Boston. Boston is home to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Lee Chang-yun, first vice minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, noted, “Countries around the world are fiercely competing to secure doctoral-level talent in the field of AI convergence,” and added, “We will enhance support to make our country an attractive option for domestic and international researchers.”