SBS is rolling out a Chuseok day documentary spotlighting the K-AI talent poised to shape South Korea’s future.
Since AI upended the way we live, the race―led by the U.S. and China―has become a defining contest of national competitiveness. Airing Monday, Oct. 6 at 10:55 a.m. KST, the SBS holiday special "Made in K-AI" takes stock of where Korea stands in this high-stakes sprint and where its brightest AI minds are headed next.
K-AI Talent Is Breaking Into the Global Big Leagues
At a September AI conference hosted by a Korean startup, industry heavyweights from conglomerates to up-and-comers gathered to share progress and vision―helmed by CEO Yoon Seong-ho. He argues Korea’s AI edge will be won on the factory floor. His company focuses on vertical AI that boosts manufacturing productivity and is earning global respect for its tech. Another fast-rising front: physical AI. With startups racing to deploy AI-powered robots across semiconductors, steel, shipbuilding, and more, the documentary visits a team on the verge of commercializing robots for real-world production lines to gauge Korea’s readiness.
How Silicon Valley Keeps Its Lead
Despite world-class talent, Korea still faces hurdles―from expanding private investment to building a stronger innovation ecosystem. The film heads to Silicon Valley, where that ecosystem is the envy of the world, to meet Kim Dong-shin, whose AI agent startup became the first Korean-founded unicorn in the Valley, and Ahn Ik-jin, who helped revolutionize YouTube’s ad algorithm before launching an AI ad-solutions company now competing shoulder-to-shoulder with Big Tech.
From the crucible of tech’s fiercest battleground, the two founders break down what truly sets the Valley apart.
Investing in Tomorrow: Korea Doubles Down on AI Education
The documentary also follows another glimpse of Korea’s future: middle schoolers on a Silicon Valley immersion program run by a major Korean conglomerate. After test-riding self-driving cars and visiting global giants like Google and Meta, they’re banking experiences that could pay off for years. Guided by the idea that national competitiveness hinges on talent, the company is scaling a suite of AI training initiatives.
The Lee Jae-myung administration likewise announced strategic investments to accelerate the AI sector and build the talent pipeline. Backed by the Ministry of Science and ICT, the country’s largest AI competition―the 2025 AI Champions―drew 630 teams and over 3,000 participants, with 6 billion won in funding. From generative and physical AI to healthcare, the event surfaced inventive ideas from emerging creators and engineers across the nation.
K-AI’s Promise―and What Comes Next
In August, cheers from the Korean contingent rang out at the AI Cyber Challenge (AIxCC), the world’s biggest security-focused AI contest, as KAIST professor Yoon In-soo’s team clinched the win by a commanding margin. Yoon argues that Korea’s standout AI talent needs stronger incentives and sustained investment to leap even higher. From foundational AI to manufacturing, medicine, and content, Made in K-AI traces how K-AI innovators are shaping what’s next for the country.
"Made in K-AI" airs Monday, Oct. 6 at 10:55 a.m. KST on SBS.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)