South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol engaged in discussions with Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, on Thursday to explore avenues for increased collaboration in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital ecosystems, according to Yoon’s office. Yoon highlighted South Korea’s robust portfolio encompassing smart home appliances, wearable devices, and smart cars as a conducive platform for Meta’s AI technology. He pledged support for business partnerships and expressed optimism for enhanced collaboration, particularly in areas like the metaverse and extended reality (XR) headsets.
Yoon’s policy chief, Sung Tae-yoon, conveyed that the talks revolved around the vision for fostering open AI and digital ecosystems and strengthening cooperation between Meta and South Korean companies. Yoon emphasized the readiness of the Korean industry to actively support Meta’s initiatives. Additionally, Yoon urged Meta to take an active role in monitoring and combating fake news and other malpractices on its platforms, especially in light of impending elections in numerous countries this year.
Meta did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Before this meeting, Zuckerberg met with Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee and LG Electronics CEO William Cho to discuss potential collaborations in AI and XR technology. Meta’s recent launch of the Quest 3 mixed-reality headset underscores its commitment to advancing in this space, amidst intensifying competition from rivals like Apple.
Meanwhile, South Korea has unveiled initiatives to bolster local AI development, including investments in core AI technology, computing resources, and projects to integrate AI into various sectors. The country is slated to host a global AI Safety Summit in May. Zuckerberg’s visit marks his first publicly known trip to South Korea in roughly a decade, as part of his broader tour across Asia, including stops in Japan and India.
