MSIT signed an MOU with Google DeepMind to collaborate on AI-based S&T innovation, talent cultivation, and the responsible use of AI.
The Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister: Bae Kyung-hoon) announced a new partnership with Google DeepMind, which has world-class AI research capabilities, to establish a framework for collaboration on the K-Moonshot missions and the responsible use of AI.
On April 27, MSIT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Demis Hassabis, the co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul, the same venue where the “Google DeepMind Challenge Match” between baduk world champion Lee Se-dol and AlphaGo took place in 2016. The MOU aims to foster collaboration on joint research in science and AI, AI talent cultivation, and responsible AI use.
Google DeepMind is a global AI research organization that marked a turning point in the advancement of AI technology with its baduk-playing AI system AlphaGo. The company also proved the potential of AI in science and technology (S&T) with AlphaFold, a groundbreaking AI system that predicts protein structures. In particular, CEO Hassabis was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2024 for AlphaFold, which solved one of the long-standing challenges in the field of chemistry: predicting protein structures.
The MOU was signed at a symbolic moment, marking the 10th anniversary of the AlphaGo, to turn a decade of AI progress into a new engine for S&T innovation, while expanding global collaboration to advance the AI ecosystem and promote responsible AI use.
MSIT has been advancing the K-Moonshot project to improve research productivity and address national grand challenges through AI-based S&T innovation. The MOU with Google DeepMind is expected to support successful implementation of the K-Moonshot missions by seeking practical collaboration across technology, infrastructure, and researcher exchanges.
The two sides plan to work together across various S&T fields such as life sciences, weather and climate, and AI scientists and pursue joint research and researcher exchange programs centered on the National Science AI Research Center, which is set to launch in May. In addition to the development and validation of AI models and tools and the use of data to accelerate scientific discoveries, they also decided to explore collaboration centered on AI Bio Innovation Hubs.
Both sides will also offer internship opportunities for outstanding Korean AI talent to experience the research environment of Google DeepMind. To this end, Google will establish an AI Campus in Korea while expanding collaboration with academia, researchers, and startups. The AI Campus is expected to serve as a hub for AI-based S&T collaboration between the two sides in line with the K-Moonshot missions.
They will also collaborate on AI safety and governance through joint research on safety frameworks and safeguards for AI models to support the responsible development of AI technologies. In particular, in coordination with the AI Safety Institute, which is responsible for AI safety evaluation and research to prepare for AI-related risks, they will continue discussions on safety framework development and testing methodologies. Additionally, they will continue discussions on establishing a global AI hub in Korea and on cooperation to address challenges facing humanity and achieve mutual prosperity.
“While AlphaGo opened the first chapter of the AI era 10 years ago, AI is now moving to the next stage of addressing technological challenges and making a real impact on people’s lives,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Bae said, “The MOU we signed today will serve as a key catalyst to accelerate AI innovation in S&T centered on the K-Moonshot project, while fostering collaboration on safe and responsible AI research and the spread of best practices.”
The co-founder and CEO Hassabis said, “After the historic AlphaGo match, which marked the starting point of the modern AI era, Korea has become a very special place for Google.” He added, “Building on this precious legacy, Google will embark on a new journey to advance bio innovation and expand the frontiers of weather and climate forecasting. In parallel, as a partner, we will also contribute to building safeguards to help AI develop responsibly.”
Following the MOU signing ceremony, MSIT and Google DeepMind held a roundtable with experts in S&T AI and other AI fields. During the session, experts including Seok Cha-ok, Professor at Seoul National University, Kim Woo-youn, Professor at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Yoo Yong-kyun, Director of the National Science AI Research Center, and Park Ha-on, CTO of AIM Intelligence gathered to discuss ways to accelerate AI-based scientific discoveries and collaboration with Google DeepMind.
The attendees said, “Just as AlphaFold changed the paradigm of predicting protein structures, it is time for Korea to fundamentally shift the S&T research ecosystem to an AI-based one through the systematic accumulation and integration of research data, AI models, and talent before it is too late.” They also expressed hope that combining the K-Moonshot missions and the research capabilities of Google DeepMind would yield research outcomes that contribute to humanity.
MSIT and Google DeepMind will form a joint working group to implement the MOU and continue to discuss detailed collaboration agendas and action plans through quarterly virtual meetings and annual in-person meetings.