South Korea Introduces AI System to Review 2027 R&D Budget Allocation
The Ministry of Science and ICT will use an AI-based deliberation support system for the first time to evaluate national research programs during a five-day budget briefing this month in Sejong City. The system will review project overlaps and reduce the workload for 166 private sector experts preparing their assessments.
The briefing runs from the 11th to the 15th and covers 10 technology fields, from semiconductors and quantum computing to life sciences and agriculture. Expert committee members from industry, academia, and research institutions will review government R&D programs across these areas.
What the Experts Will Evaluate
The 166 specialists will assess each program on four criteria:
- Whether the technology development is appropriate
- Whether government support is necessary
- Whether the budget amount is adequate
- What measures could improve efficiency
Ministry officials will present each program. Experts will then prepare written review reports based on their field experience.
The AI's Role
The new AI service will identify similarities and overlaps between projects, helping eliminate duplicate efforts. This reduces the burden on experts preparing materials and supports more objective deliberation throughout the allocation process.
Park In-gyu, head of the Science, Technology and Innovation Office, said the briefing brings together specialists to "discuss national R&D programs with various ministries and prepare the foundational data for the 2027 budget proposal."
Timeline and Outcome
The ministry will review the expert committee's findings alongside budget guidelines and government investment strategies. It will finalize the 2027 R&D budget allocation plan by June 30, as required by the Framework Act on Science and Technology.
Park emphasized the goal: "We will thoroughly eliminate wasteful factors and boldly invest in essential areas to rapidly spread tangible results that the public can experience."
Government professionals managing R&D initiatives or budget processes may benefit from understanding AI for Government applications and how agencies are deploying these tools in decision-making workflows.
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