The Korea AI & Software Industry Association (KOSA) said on Tuesday it has officially launched an "AI+X investors council" with about 30 investment institutions, including global investors such as Korea Science & Technology Holdings (KST) and K-Ground Venture (KGV).

According to KOSA, domestic AI investment has drawn criticism that it is limited in producing effective results in global AI competition that requires swift responses. KOSA cited a fragmented structure centered on large companies, well-known companies and single companies, and structural problems in which it takes considerable time to create private funds after government contributions.

Starting from that awareness, the council set key strategic directions: rapid startup-focused investment execution; investment in full-stack AX projects including demand sources by industry vertical; and full-cycle investment and scale-up support based on core technologies and IP.

It will operate as a "public-private cooperative AX investment platform" that links government policy funds, public technology commercialisation organisations and the capabilities of private investors. It aims to support investment and scale-ups so identified AX projects can be applied to industry and worksites, and to systematically back the entry of domestically accumulated IP into global markets.

The council plans to build AX funds step by step, led by the private sector with government support. Starting with the first AX fund, it plans to raise at least 100 billion won each year.

KOSA Chairman Jun-hee Cho (조준희) said, "As we are rapidly entering an era of major AI transformation in which AI determines the added value of all industries, the weight of taking on a pivotal role in revitalising the AX investment ecosystem feels different." He stressed, "To produce world-class AI unicorns, it is urgent to create a public-private cooperative investment ecosystem led by the private sector and backed by the government." He added, "The AI+X investors council and the association will take the lead proactively to match private-sector momentum with government policies."