PYONGYANG - North Korea is increasingly focusing on advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), signaling a strategic move to harness Fourth Industrial Revolution innovations. This development is part of the country's broader efforts to enhance its technological capabilities across various sectors.
According to Yonhap News Agency, including the Rodong Sinmun and the Korean Central Broadcasting Station, there is a growing emphasis on integrating AI and other digital technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) into education and agriculture. The Rodong Sinmun highlighted the global race for technological dominance on December 24, noting particular strides in applying AI within the educational sector and expanding the use of VR and AR technologies. Similarly, the Korean Central Broadcasting Station previously mentioned the active employment of AI by other nations to boost agricultural productivity.
Korean Central Television has also showcased advancements in VR-based educational programs that provide immersive learning experiences about North Korea's history and culture from the third to the fourth century B.C. These developments indicate North Korea's intent to adopt global technological trends to improve its agricultural and educational frameworks.
However, the potential military applications of these technologies have raised concerns. Kim Hyuk, a research fellow at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, reported that North Korea has been exploring the use of AI and machine learning (ML) for military purposes, including wargaming and surveillance. His findings, published on 38 North, a US-based website monitoring North Korean activities, suggest that North Korean researchers have continued to collaborate with foreign scholars on sensitive applications of AI and ML technologies.
Kim's report also warns of the possibility that AI/ML technology could be transferred through intangible means, underscoring the importance of monitoring North Korea's technological advancements. He advocates for the implementation of measures to mitigate potential sanctions risks associated with such transfers, particularly within academic and private sectors. This dual-use nature of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in North Korea highlights the need for vigilance in understanding the scope and intent behind the country's technological ambitions.