“Korea is not a follower but a leader”… Four perspectives on AI ecosystem strategy
Summary
The article covers a panel discussion at AXIS 2026 in Seoul about South Korea’s AI strategy, with speakers debating sovereign AI, government intervention, regulation, and startup diversity. Participants argued over whether Korea should pursue national AI leadership through state support or focus on global connectivity and ecosystem openness. The discussion also highlighted data infrastructure, including a proposal for a K-ontology project to structure sensitive sector data for AI use. A practical industry perspective raised regulatory barriers that slow deployment of autonomous driving and physical AI systems in Korea. Overall, the piece frames AI as both a policy issue and a market opportunity for startups, infrastructure vendors, and ecosystem partners.