Baek Kyung-hoon (배경훈), deputy prime minister and minister of science and ICT, met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology Abdullah bin Amer Al-Swaha on July 16 and discussed ways to cooperate in AI and digital fields.

The meeting was arranged to build practical cooperation between the two countries as Saudi Arabia expands AI innovation and global cooperation based on its national growth strategy, Vision 2030, with Al-Swaha visiting South Korea.

The two sides shared a vision to expand policy investment and support, seeing AI as a key field for strengthening national competitiveness. Baek introduced three major national megaprojects the government is pursuing. He proposed cooperation on AI development using the technological capabilities of South Korean companies, as Saudi Arabia expands investment in AI including the development of large language models (LLMs).

They also discussed cooperation on a Korean-style full-stack AI model being discussed between Saudi AI specialist company Humain and South Korean companies, as well as cooperation on public sector AI transition and digital infrastructure including cloud and AI data centres.

Baek said, "If South Korea’s capabilities in new AI and digital technologies combine with Saudi Arabia’s bold willingness to invest, it will create great synergy." He added, "I hope the two countries will leap forward together as global AI powerhouses through an all-around partnership."