On October 6, the opening day of the parliamentary audit by the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, Representative Kim Hyun of the Democratic Party of Korea (Ansan-si B, Gyeonggi Province) reviewed the Ministry of Science and ICT's AI talent development projects and the operational status of AI Digital Learning Centers, pointing out that the management framework for budget execution and actual employment outcomes remains insufficient compared to the expansion of the projects.

Representative Kim's office stated, "An analysis of the Ministry of Science and ICT's AI talent development initiatives revealed that 13 institutions, along with seven divisions and teams within the ministry, are carrying out related projects."

However, Representative Kim's office explained that despite multiple departments and institutions investing budgets, supporting data comprehensively demonstrating what specific talent was nurtured, to what extent, and how it led to hiring and new job creation was lacking.

Accordingly, during the parliamentary audit on this day, Representative Kim urged the government to thoroughly review and link its eight major AI policy initiatives with their employment effects and actual talent development projects.

The aim is to more systematically analyze responsible departments, agencies, talent development initiatives, and employment outcomes across key policy areas such as AI infrastructure, technological sovereignty, and industrial and regional AX (AI transformation).

She also conducted an intensive review of the budget execution and educational performance of the AI Digital Learning Centers.

Currently, 41.1 billion won has been allocated to 69 AI Digital Learning Centers operating nationwide, and the Ministry of Science and ICT plans to expand the number to 109 locations by 2027 and 229 locations by 2029.

Representative Kim pointed out that because basic digital education, such as smartphone usage and kiosk operations, accounts for a significant portion, a concrete review is needed to verify where and how the 41.1 billion won is being spent.

In addition, she stressed that since the gap in AI utilization could widen on top of the existing digital divide for vulnerable groups—such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and farmers—the role and educational curriculum of the Digital Learning Centers must be redesigned to suit the AI era.

Representative Kim also raised issues regarding the development and distribution of standard textbooks and training programs for digital capability education under the Digital Inclusion Act.

She emphasized that even though the relevant institutional framework is in place, comprehensive management at the ministry level is necessary because the responsible divisions and progress status remain unclear.

Bae Kyung-hoon, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and ICT, responded, "I will organize and report on the matters currently underway across respective ministries, departments, and affiliated institutions."

Deputy Prime Minister Bae stated that he would also compile and report additional detailed expenditure breakdowns for the AI Digital Learning Centers' budget, including transition costs for regional informatics education centers and equipment purchase costs.

He added that the ministry would reexamine the appropriateness of the plan to expand the centers to 229 locations by 2029, while also reviewing measures for young people to work as AI instructors at the AI Digital Learning Centers to contribute to job creation and the spread of AI literacy.

Representative Kim stressed, "AI policy must not stop at simply expanding projects and budgets," adding, "The government must use data to manage and track how talent development projects scattered across various departments and institutions actually translate into youth employment and jobs, as well as where and how the budget for AI Digital Learning Centers is spent and what results it produces in enhancing the public's AI capabilities."