South Korea’s president calls for nationwide AI literacy, pushing mass education and broader access

Summary

South Korea’s president publicly urged that AI literacy be taught as universally as reading and arithmetic, arguing that everyday life will soon require baseline competence in AI tools. In a government briefing, the science/ICT minister noted many citizens still don’t know how to use AI—prompting the president to emphasize rapid, broad-based education and more accessible learning environments. The plan discussed includes expanding digital learning centers and rolling out practical AI education initiatives, starting with students and vulnerable groups. Why it matters: as AI agents and copilots become default interfaces for services, governments that treat AI literacy as infrastructure (not just workforce training) could accelerate domestic adoption—raising competitive pressure on consumer AI platforms, local model providers, and public-sector AI procurement across the region.