Original Source
South Korea Ranks 3rd Globally in Noteworthy AI Models, 1st in AI Patents per 100,000 People
South Korea Ranks High in AI Models and Patent Metrics
According to the 'Artificial Intelligence Index (AI INDEX) 2026' report by Stanford University's Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence Institute (HAI), South Korea held 5 'noteworthy AI models' in 2025, ranking 3rd globally after the United States (50) and China (30). This marks a one-position increase from the previous year, surpassing major developed nations like Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, in the innovation metric of AI patents per 100,000 people, South Korea recorded 14.31 cases, securing the world's 1st position for the second consecutive year.
Advancements in Industrial AI Adoption and Regulatory Frameworks
South Korea ranked 4th globally in industrial robot adoption in 2025 with 30,600 units, following China, Japan, and the U.S. The country also showed the largest increase in AI adoption rate globally (4.8 percentage points), rising from 25th in the first half of last year to 18th in the second half. In terms of establishing institutional foundations for AI dissemination, South Korea passed 17 AI-related bills between 2016 and 2025, ranking 2nd among G20 nations. The 'Artificial Intelligence Framework Act', implemented in January, was highlighted as a leading example for national industrial promotion and trust-building.
Government Support and Areas for Improvement
Vice Minister of Science and ICT, Bae Kyung-hoon, stated that the Lee Jae-myung administration's comprehensive support has contributed to strengthening AI competitiveness. He affirmed the government's commitment to making South Korea one of the 'top three AI powerhouses' through efforts such as securing unique AI models and expanding AI transformation (AX). However, the report also identified areas for improvement, including the relatively insufficient private investment in AI compared to leading nations and a greater outflow than inflow of AI talent.
*Source: 한겨레 (2026-04-14)*
