Korean Media: South Korea's Score in Five Key Emerging Technologies is Less Than a Third of China's!
On July 20, Korean media outlet "Chosun Ilbo" reported that the Belfer Center at Harvard University's Kennedy School recently released a report assessing the competitiveness of major countries in five key emerging technology fields.
The United States ranked first in all areas, while China ranked second in all areas. South Korea ranked fifth among 25 countries and regions, but scored only 20 points, less than a third of the scores of the first-place United States (84.3 points) and the second-place China (65.6 points).
South Korea's fifth place was largely due to semiconductors. The evaluation weights for each technology field are as follows: semiconductors (35%), artificial intelligence (25%), biotechnology (20%), aerospace (15%), and quantum (5%). South Korea ranked fifth in semiconductors, but its equipment sector was evaluated as relatively weak.
A more serious issue is that South Korea is below average in most key technology fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum, and space. It ranks ninth in artificial intelligence, tenth in biotechnology, twelfth in quantum, and thirteenth in aerospace.
Although South Korea aims to become one of the world's top three artificial intelligence powers, its total score in artificial intelligence still lags behind Germany, the UK, France, and India, scoring only 14.1 points, with a significant gap compared to the United States (90.8 points) and China (58 points).
In particular, South Korea scored zero points in artificial intelligence model accuracy and algorithm indicators. This is because South Korea has not developed its own unique artificial intelligence models, and companies are modifying American algorithms. Stanford University's "2024 AI Index" also lists South Korea as a "country without its own model."
The problem of artificial intelligence talent is equally severe. South Korea's score is 2.6 points, which is significantly lower compared to the United States (19.1 points), China (20 points), and Europe (17.6 points). This is due to the concentration of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) talents in medical schools and structural talent shortages caused by population decline. The South Korean government is striving to cultivate artificial intelligence experts, but it has failed to attract excellent overseas talents, leading instead to the loss of domestic talent.
China has enhanced its technological competitiveness through large-scale investments and strategic industrial development, while innovating in industry, policy, and education systems.
The Belfer Center assessed that South Korea can maintain its technological advantage by cooperating with the United States, Japan, and Europe. As a medium-sized technological power, South Korea can lead an open technological cooperation system, thereby not only enhancing its technological strength but also elevating its diplomatic status.
South Korea has global competitiveness in the semiconductor field and has the potential to expand this advantage to other technology fields. However, given the current rate and structure of development, South Korea will inevitably fall behind in the competition for technological leadership.
The world is entering an era where "technology is national power." South Korea needs to take bold and comprehensive measures. It is time to unite all national forces, including the government, enterprises, and educational institutions, to strive to become a leading country in core technologies, rather than a follower.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1838170085115912/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.