(KPL/Yonhap) The government has partnered with Google DeepMind, an artificial intelligence (AI) research laboratory under Alphabet Inc., for its AI-led science and technology innovation project, officials said Monday.

The Ministry of Science and ICT signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Demis Hassabis, chief executive officer (CEO) and co-founder of Google DeepMind, for the partnership in Seoul, according to the ministry.

Google DeepMind is known for AlphaGo, the AI program that defeated Lee Sedol, a Go world champion, in a five-game match in Seoul in 2016. Hassabis was also awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2024 for his contributions to AI-based protein structure prediction research.

Under the MOU, the two sides will collaborate on joint research in science, technology and AI, the cultivation of AI talent and the responsible use of AI.

In particular, they agreed to explore practical ways to cooperate with Google DeepMind across technology, infrastructure and researcher exchanges under the government's AI-focused project named "K-Moonshot."

The two organizations plan to collaborate in various fields of science and technology, including life sciences, meteorology, climate and AI, while promoting joint research and researcher exchanges centered on the National Science AI Research Center, which is set to begin operations next month.

As part of supportive measures for top AI talent, Google will establish an AI campus in Korea to expand collaboration with academia, researchers and startups, and will identify internship opportunities for local talent to work at Google DeepMind.

The ministry and Google DeepMind will also conduct joint research on safety frameworks and model safeguards to ensure the responsible development of AI technology.

To ensure the practical implementation of the agreement, they will form a joint working group to discuss specific cooperation projects and implementation plans.

"If AlphaGo ushered in the AI era 10 years ago, we have now reached a stage where AI is solving complex scientific and technological challenges, and affecting people's lives," Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said.

"This MOU will provide an opportunity for Republic of Korea to accelerate scientific, technological and AI innovation centered on the K-Moonshot initiative, while promoting safe and responsible AI research and best practices," he added.

KPL