Masayoshi Son Advocates for South Korea's AI Superintelligence Readiness

This Friday, a significant meeting unfolded in Seoul where Masayoshi Son, the visionary founder and CEO of SoftBank Group, engaged with President Lee Jae Myung. Their discussion revolved around South Korea's pivotal role in shaping the future of artificial intelligence. The dialogue emphasized the nation's drive to integrate AI into its essential infrastructure, ensuring accessibility for all citizens.

AI as a National Imperative
President Lee underscored the necessity of embedding AI within South Korea’s fundamental infrastructure, equating its importance to that of water resources and road systems. “The remarkable capabilities of AI must be available to every individual and nation,” Lee proclaimed, outlining plans for a responsible and inclusive approach. Furthermore, he recommended that Son serve as an intermediary between South Korea and Japan, fostering regional collaboration in AI.

Son Discusses the Emergence of Superintelligent AI
Son elaborated on the notion of artificial superintelligence (ASI), explaining that while current focus remains on achieving human-level AI or AGI, the forthcoming advancements will transcend human cognitive abilities. “ChatGPT 5.1 already excels in doctoral examinations in disciplines like medicine and physics,” Son remarked, noting the potential for ASI to possess intelligence up to 10,000 times greater than that of the human mind. He likened the dynamic between humans and ASI to that of a person and a goldfish, underlining the significant disparities in capabilities and prospects.

Son advocated for an evolution in mindset, urging that instead of striving to dominate AI, humanity should aim for a cooperative existence. As he stated, “In the era of ASI, AI will possess enough intelligence to treat humans with kindness and enhance their happiness,” comparing this relationship to that of humans with pets.

Key Focus Areas for Korea
During their discussion, Son highlighted four essential components for establishing a thriving ASI ecosystem: energy, semiconductors, data, and education. He commended South Korea’s prowess in chip manufacturing, viewing it as a cornerstone for fortifying the “memory alliance” with the United States. Additionally, Son called for the enhancement of data centers and dependable energy frameworks to cater to future AI requirements, emphasizing the significance of investing in AI education.

Bolstering Korea’s AI Landscape
Subsequent to their talks, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy inked a memorandum of understanding with Arm, a SoftBank-affiliated chip design firm, to bolster South Korea’s AI semiconductor expertise. Plans to implement an “Arm School” aimed at training around 1,400 global design specialists were unveiled, signaling the country’s long-term aspiration to lead in AI innovation.

This meeting, orchestrated following Son’s outreach during the APEC summit, included key officials and leaders from the industry, among them Rene Haas, CEO of Arm, and South Korean ministers charged with science, industry, and national AI strategy.