Demis Hassabis, who co-founded and leads Google DeepMind and is often called the "father of AlphaGo," plans to launch a "Google AI Campus" in Seoul by the end of this year.
According to the Presidential Office, this will be the initial occasion for Google and DeepMind to create an AI research and development hub and headquarters outside their home country.
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Through the AI Campus, Google intends to enhance its collaboration with Korean research entities and academic institutions and participate in the government's 'K-Moonshot Project.' This K-Moonshot Project sets out to tackle 12 national missions within eight sectors — including advanced biotechnology, energy of the future, physical artificial intelligence, space exploration, materials science, AI experts, semiconductors, and quantum technologies — by the year 2035.
The project's aim goes beyond national objectives, seeking to address major challenges facing humanity. On the 27th, President Lee Jae-myung met with CEO Hassabis at the Presidential Office to broadly discuss innovation in AI-based science and technology.
Hassabis remarked that "Korea is a very special country for Google DeepMind," highlighting a strong sense of connection. The aim of establishing the world's first AI Campus is to position Korea as a key element in Google's AI strategy. This AI Campus will provide support to researchers and startups and will function as a collaborative research center, with at least 10 Google researchers scheduled to move to Korea.
The Ministry of Science and ICT also signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize the initiative.
Hassabis, widely recognized as a preeminent expert and among the top leaders in AI, was in charge of the 2016 AlphaGo competition against Go champion Lee Sedol and was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his role in creating AlphaFold, an artificial intelligence tool designed to predict protein structures.
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President Lee and CEO Hassabis talked about both the opportunities and dangers of AI technology, and both concurred on the importance of responsible tech advancement. When they met for the first time, Lee opened with, "You are quite renowned among the people of Korea," mentioning the AlphaGo match with Lee Sedol.
The Presidential Office reported that Hassabis brought up AI risks and safety with serious concern. Kim mentioned, "CEO Hassabis concurred that amidst heightened U.S.-China technological rivalry and intensified private sector competition, forming international norms is challenging.
He suggested that countries like Korea, the U.K., and Singapore collaborate to create a comprehensive framework and use shared insights to implement protective measures. Hassabis also emphasized, "The era of artificial general intelligence (AGI) is approaching, and when it does, it will be crucial to have safeguards that we can genuinely control.
In response, Lee asked directly about when AGI would be achieved. Hassabis predicted that AGI, which might match all human cognitive abilities, could emerge within five years, possibly by around 2030. He added that it could lead to changes that surpass the Industrial Revolution at a very quick pace.
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He also mentioned, "AI could generate breakthroughs in every field, including the development of new materials, treating incurable diseases, and innovations in productivity, leading humanity into a new era of scientific advancement." Both agreed that AI could be a tool to address issues like low economic growth, climate change, and health challenges, opening a new period of prosperity.
They also agreed on the importance of establishing responsible-use guidelines to prevent negative effects such as military use and increased inequality. Kim stated that this meeting was a continuation of President Lee's worldwide AI activities.