Science & Tech · AI · 3 hrs ago
South Korea expands AI use in hospitals, security and research
AI is moving into real-world work in South Korea, beyond answering questions.
KT is developing tools that schedule operations and answer patient calls, while a Hyundai AutoEver security system combines patrol robots with AI video analysis.
Human approval remains part of some systems, including one that requires a manager to approve network changes identified by AI.
Five companies are planning a package that combines South Korean AI chips, models, cloud services and data-centre equipment, with the aim of reducing reliance on foreign technology.
Naver D2SF has invested in TraceWeave, which is developing AI that can run on a smartphone without a cloud connection.
Researchers are also testing AI on difficult mathematics, while a 2026 assessment placed South Korea among the leading AI economies for the first time.
The next challenge is turning AI investment into practical strength while ensuring systems are safe, reliable and well controlled.
South Korean companies and researchers are expanding the use of artificial intelligence in hospitals, public safety, IT management and scientific research.
KT’s hospital AI tools can schedule surgeries and answer patient questions around the clock.
Hyundai AutoEver has presented a security system combining patrol robots, AI video analysis and centralized monitoring.
South Korean companies are also working to combine domestic AI chips, models and infrastructure in a single product.
SK Telecom, Seoul National University and KAIST plan joint research to improve an AI model’s reasoning and tackle difficult mathematics problems.
- Who
- South Korean companies and researchers, including KT, Hyundai AutoEver and SK Telecom, are developing or using AI systems.
- What
- AI is being applied to hospital scheduling and patient inquiries, security patrols, IT management and mathematics research.
- When
- The developments were reported on October 25, 2026. Dates for the individual projects are not stated.
- Where
- South Korea. The hospital and security systems are intended for use in their respective operational settings.
- Why
- To support work in real-world settings and develop AI capabilities, infrastructure and research capacity. The article also notes safety, reliability and control as challenges.
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- Hospital scheduling
- KT’s AI agent links surgery, bed and staffing information to create schedules and suggest alternatives when plans change.
- Patient support
- KT’s AI voice bot answers patient inquiries 24 hours a day.
- Security system
- Hyundai AutoEver’s solution combines patrol robots, AI video analysis and centralized monitoring.
- Domestic AI infrastructure
- Five companies agreed to jointly develop a product combining South Korean NPU chips, large language models, cloud platforms and server and data-centre infrastructure.
- Mathematics research
- SK Telecom, Seoul National University and KAIST plan joint research to improve the reasoning of the A.X K2 model.