South Korea’s central bank launched a proprietary artificial intelligence system. This new sovereign AI model operates entirely on its internal secure network. Consequently, the Bank of Korea Intelligence system marks a global first. Therefore, this sovereign AI initiative strengthens national control over sensitive financial data. The project results from a collaboration with domestic tech giant Naver.
Governor Rhee Chang-yong announced the launch at a Seoul conference. Furthermore, he emphasized Korea’s position among few nations with this capability. This AI development supports the sustainable growth of a domestic industry. Additionally, the system provides five core functions for economic analysis. These include research assistance, compliance support, and advanced document analysis.
The BOK and Naver began their partnership back in 2024. Naver contributed its cloud infrastructure and large language models. Meanwhile, the central bank tailored applications for financial analysis specifically. This sovereign AI model allows secure use previously restricted due to risks. Staff can now proactively analyze sensitive data internally.
The system will directly support critical monetary policy decisions. It can analyze vast volumes of economic data efficiently. Moreover, it processes historical policy materials for the Monetary Policy Board. This sovereign AI enhances analytical capabilities for interest rate deliberations. It transforms a massive archive of documents into usable digital formats.
Naver founder Lee Hae-jin highlighted the project’s national importance. The central bank’s economic data is a critical strategic asset. This sovereign AI foundation should elevate overall national competitiveness significantly. The collaboration digitized approximately 1.4 million internal documents previously. This created a unique learning foundation for the AI system.
The launch demonstrates a commitment to technological autonomy. It also showcases effective public-private sector cooperation in Korea. Future steps may include expanding the model’s applications and capabilities. This sovereign AI project sets a precedent for other national institutions. It represents a major step in the global AI race.
