ETRI Announces 7 Major AI Trends for 2020
Presenting trends in politics , economics, and technology sectors to be created by AI
The outcome of the global hegemony competition will be decided by AI strategy


On the 20th, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) published the '7 Major AI Trends of 2020' report, which analyzes the waves of the Fourth Industrial Revolution created by AI from political, economic, and technological perspectives.

Existing AI was regarded merely as a technology that mimicked human perception.

The 7 major AI trends of 2020 explain that AI is leading business analysis and R&D innovation that humans have not been able to do, creating economic added value through creative activities that were once considered the exclusive property of humans, and acting as a new driving force for changes in global hegemony.

The seven major trends presented in the 2020 AI 7 Major Trends Report are as follows.

The first, and yet another option, is Chinese AI . Until now, the United States has been the leader in technology across many industries. However, China has begun to forge a new path with its own distinct AI identity by creating data value chains under government leadership. AI strategies are triggering a struggle for hegemony among great powers, extending beyond mere technological competition.

The second is AI nationalism. Recently, a new form of nationalism has emerged aimed at protecting domestic AI-related data and services while reducing the influence of other nations. Leading AI companies and services are facing difficulties crossing borders due to trade restrictions, tax systems, and personal data protection laws. The report points out that as AI technology intertwines with the political order, it can widen the technological gap between nations and potentially become a powerful weapon.

Third is augmented analytics and dark data . Through unprecedented analytical techniques, AI technology is eliminating the limitations of analysis and the scope of the majority of data that was previously possessed but unused. AI assists human decision-making and provides insights and new value.

Fourth is R&D innovation intelligence . Through autonomous vehicles and the AI doctor Watson, AI has demonstrated that it is revolutionizing industries on a massive scale. However, the greater value of utilizing AI lies in its ability to increase R&D productivity by changing the way humans think as researchers.

Fifth, the evolution of creative intelligence . Paintings, novels, and films created by AI demonstrate that AI is capable of creative work. Furthermore, attention is drawn to the potential for design and strategy derivation that surpasses human capabilities, going beyond the level of simple imitation.

Sixth is the AI Homunculus . The human brain is most active when sensory organs are functioning. Human intelligence has also evolved in connection with the form and function of the body. This suggests that, similarly, for AI to further advance technological capabilities and secure autonomy, the importance of researching interaction with the external environment through physical entities such as automobiles, drones, and robotic arms is growing.

Seventh, it is a new computing form factor required by the AI era . Just as Intel's chipsets defined the standard PC form factor, AI is deeply intertwined with GPUs, ASICs, and the like; therefore, we must pay close attention to the roles these new dedicated computing devices will play and how they will shape the market landscape.

Dr. Lee Seung-min of the Technology Economics Research Lab at ETRI, the lead author of the report, stated, “It is humans and AI that determine the future of humanity,” adding, “AI technology is highly likely to bring about a greater impact than the past three industrial revolutions.”

ETRI President Kim Myung-joon stated, “If the nation understands AI strategies in a localized manner or fails to properly define their scope, it could fall behind in the competition for global hegemony.”

The 2020 AI 7 Trends Report, authored by Principal Researchers Lee Seung-min and Jung Ji-hyung of the Technology Policy Research Division at ETRI, is available on the ETRI website .