Yoon, Zuckerberg discuss AI, digital ecosystem in Seoul

President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, formerly Facebook, on Thursday to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in cutting-edge technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), upon the US tech giant's request. The presidential office confirmed that Yoon and Zuckerberg met at the Yongsan presidential office earlier in the day. They shared visions for creating an AI digital ecosystem and ways to strengthen cooperation between Meta and Korean firms, as well as the need for increased investment in AI research and development (R&D) in Korea.

Meta is a leading technology company that operates through its various platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The company has been actively investing in AI technologies, including natural language processing, computer vision, and machine learning. Meta's AI-powered virtual assistant, Daisy, was launched in 2019 and is designed to help users find information and complete tasks more efficiently.

Korea has also been making significant investments in AI R&D, with the government launching the "AI New Deal" in 2018 to support the development of AI technologies and create new industries. The deal includes a budget of KRW 4 trillion ($3.6 billion) over the next five years to fund research and development in areas such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, and healthcare.

During their meeting, Yoon and Zuckerberg likely discussed ways to collaborate on AI projects and how Meta can support Korean firms in developing and implementing AI technologies. They may have also talked about the potential for increased investment in AI R&D in Korea and how this could benefit both Meta and Korean companies.

Overall, the meeting between Yoon and Zuckerberg highlights the growing importance of AI in today's digital ecosystem and the need for increased collaboration between technology companies and governments to support the development of cutting-edge technologies.