South Korea's Ministry of Science and ICT is moving to strengthen internal capabilities to integrate artificial intelligence into frontline national research and development (R&D) administration.

The ministry held an "AI competency training results presentation event" on Monday morning at the Government Complex Sejong and shared results from AI training conducted over the past 10 weeks. First Vice Minister Hyeok-chae Koo (구혁채), R&D Policy Office chief Seong-su Kim (김성수) and KAIST Kim Jaechul Graduate School of AI professor Dong-in Jang (장동인), among others, attended along with staff interested in using AI.

The AI competency training focused on national R&D administration. It is designed to help staff in the R&D Policy Office improve their understanding of AI and apply it to their work. From March to May, it was run with Professor Jang and teaching assistants combining lectures with practical training. It was structured to allow staff with no programming experience to produce AI-based programs directly using vibe coding techniques.

A wide range of staff took part, from working-level employees to directors-general and above. AI-based programs were produced to support policymaking and improve R&D administrative efficiency, including an "AI for global strategic technology trend analysis" that Kim helped plan, as well as an "AI for explaining research administration laws" and an "AI for promoting R&D project performance". Interest in AI-driven innovation in R&D administration continued, with staff who did not join the course also developing an "innovative company information management web app" on their own.

At the event, Koo said, "If even early-stage outputs are continuously used and improved, they can develop into useful AI colleagues." He added, "As a ministry leading science and technology and AI, the Ministry of Science and ICT will take the lead in innovating internal work and devote all-out efforts to a major transformation in science and technology using AI."