South Korea to revive program for AI researchers — Korea Herald
Starting in 2027, South Korea will allow artificial intelligence researchers to fulfill their military service through research work in laboratories of major corporations. This will restore an opportunity for large companies that was discontinued in 2013, Korea Herald reports.
Positions for AI researchers
The program allows scientists and engineering specialists with a master's or doctoral degree to fulfill their military service through three years of research work. It continued to operate at universities, state institutions and small companies, but since 2013 no new positions have been allocated to big business.
In 2027, 240 positions are planned for AI researchers with master's degrees. Of these, 120 are intended for laboratories of major companies, while another 120 are for government-funded research institutions and defense industry institutes. The allocation of positions for major companies will continue for three years, until 2029.
Fewer applications than the quota
According to the Ministry of Science and ICT, LG Electronics, Samsung Electronics, Samsung Medison and HD Hyundai Robotics were recommended for participation. Nine research institutes of these companies applied for a total of 81 positions, although 120 positions are reserved for laboratories of large businesses.
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South Korea's Military Manpower Administration still has to approve the participating institutes and determine the allocation of positions. Therefore, the final number of allocated positions may be lower than 81.
Conditions for corporations
To participate, major companies must spend at least 5% of their revenue on research and development, operate in a field that does not directly compete with small businesses, and have objectively confirmed research results. Industry representatives said that some applicants did not receive recommendations because they failed to meet these requirements.
Hwang Jung-a, a lawmaker from the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, said that restoring the quotas will once again give young researchers the opportunity to fulfill their military service at institutions with developed research infrastructure. At the same time, she called for expanding access to the program, as strict criteria, in her view, could limit its effect.
