Seoul: The foreign ministry announced its plans to host the 19th Seoul ODA International Conference this week, focusing on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in development. The event, co-hosted by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is scheduled for Friday and will revolve around the theme "AI for Inclusive and Sustainable Development."
According to Yonhap News Agency, the conference will feature a keynote address by Landry Signe, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. It will include three sessions that cover topics such as AI and development cooperation, practical applications of AI in development, and strategic partnerships for Korea-Central Asia AI ODA.
The event follows the first Korea-Central Asia summit, which is set to occur on Wednesday in Seoul. The ministry indicated that the conference offers a platform to enhance AI ODA cooperation with the five Central Asian countries.
As a part of the conference activities, KOICA will organize the KOICA AI Partners Fair. This fair will bring together 10 South Korean companies, providing them with opportunities to enter the development cooperation market and network with international partners.
The South Korean government has identified AI as a critical area for its ODA efforts. This initiative aims to bridge the AI divide and support sustainable development in the midst of global digital and AI transformations.
Launched in 2007, the Seoul ODA International Conference has become a significant global forum for discussions on development cooperation, as stated by the ministry.