Ku Hyuk-chae (구혁채), first vice minister at South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT, visited Bionexus on March 19, a company researching the bio sector using artificial intelligence (AI). He also held a meeting with industry and research officials including Upstage, Rebellions and the Korea Basic Science Institute.

The visit was the 13th stop in 'Project Empathy 118', aimed at implementing field-focused science and technology policy. Ku discussed policies to create a cooperative ecosystem between the bio and AI sectors to implement the 'K-Moonshot Promotion Strategy' for a leap in science and technology competitiveness in the AI era.

Bionexus is a company developing an AI scientist platform that combines AI and big data in the bio sector to innovate the entire process from research and diagnosis to treatment. Based on domestic technology and infrastructure, it implemented an integrated AI product that can be used in practice, including with Upstage, an AI company participating in a proprietary AI foundation model development project, and AI chip company Rebellions. It is also actively cooperating with the Korea Basic Science Institute and the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology.

Ku experienced the bio research and development process using the AI scientist platform and checked the status of the AI scientist ecosystem, from AI chips to AI models and platforms. He also discussed policy issues needed for domestic researchers to actively use AI.

Ku said, "AI is a game changer that improves overall research productivity and solves complex challenges." He said, "The government will also provide full support through K-Moonshot policies so that science and technology x AI innovation leads to national competitiveness."