The Era of AI Reviewing National Research Budgets
The South Korean government has, for the first time, introduced artificial intelligence (AI) into the review process for the national research and development (R&D) budget. AI is now being used to assist expert reviewers in evaluating approximately 35 trillion won worth of national R&D projects. This year, the number of projects under review nearly doubled, exposing the limitations of traditional human-centered evaluation systems. In response, the government turned to AI as a new solution. By utilizing large language models (LLMs) developed by domestic AI companies to analyze vast quantities of research proposals and budget documents, this initiative represents more than simple administrative automation; it signals a transformation in the very way national policy decisions are made.
This shift is not merely about “working faster.” In the modern world, a nation’s competitiveness increasingly depends on how effectively it allocates research and innovation resources. Strategic sectors such as semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology, aerospace, and AI require enormous public investment. Poor funding decisions in these areas can weaken a nation’s long-term competitiveness. Therefore, AI-assisted R&D evaluation should be viewed not simply as a technological upgrade, but as the construction of critical infrastructure for future national strategy.
In truth, the traditional national R&D review system had already reached a point of overload. Thousands of research proposals had to be examined by a limited number of experts within very short time frames. As a result, reviewers often spent excessive amounts of time on repetitive administrative tasks and document analysis. No matter how capable an expert may be, it is nearly impossible to thoroughly compare hundreds of pages of technical proposals under severe time constraints. Inevitably, some evaluations became superficial or relied too heavily on past experience and intuition.
This is precisely where AI demonstrates its greatest strength. AI can rapidly process massive volumes of documents, detect overlapping projects, identify potential budget redundancies, and summarize key concepts and trends. Such capabilities allow human experts to focus more on substantive judgment and creative evaluation. In other words, AI is not replacing human reviewers; rather, it functions as an “intelligent augmentation system” that enhances expert decision-making capacity.
One of the long-standing challenges in national R&D policy has been the problem of duplicated investments. Different government ministries have occasionally funded highly similar projects, while lessons from past failures were not always adequately incorporated into new evaluations. AI can analyze decades of accumulated research data, compare similarities among projects, track technological development trajectories, and assess international research trends simultaneously. This could significantly reduce wasteful spending while improving the overall efficiency of national research investment.
Yet there are also important dangers that must not be ignored. No matter how advanced AI becomes, it still struggles to fully understand the essence of creativity in scientific discovery. Historically, many groundbreaking innovations initially appeared impractical or unrealistic. The internet, artificial intelligence, quantum mechanics, and even numerous Nobel Prize-winning discoveries were once dismissed with skepticism. If AI systems rely too heavily on historical data and past success patterns, they may unintentionally discourage radical innovation and unconventional thinking.
Another serious concern involves data bias. AI systems make judgments based on the data on which they are trained. If previous research funding structures favored certain universities, regions, or academic disciplines, AI may simply reproduce those same structural biases. In that sense, the so-called “objectivity” of AI can become an illusion. Because AI learns from human-generated data, it often inherits the limitations and inequalities embedded within society itself.
Security concerns are equally critical. National R&D projects frequently involve advanced technologies and strategically sensitive industrial information. As AI systems begin processing such data, the risks of information leakage and cyberattacks inevitably increase. If AI platforms are connected to external cloud environments, protecting national core technologies becomes even more challenging. For this reason, security, trustworthiness, and governance must take priority over efficiency alone in the development of AI-based evaluation systems.
Nevertheless, this initiative marks a highly significant turning point. Major nations around the world are already integrating AI into public administration and policy decision-making. The United States has expanded AI-driven analysis systems across defense, healthcare, and energy sectors, while Europe is accelerating the adoption of AI in public governance. South Korea’s use of AI in national R&D budget evaluation therefore represents an important advancement in digital government competitiveness as well.
Most importantly, the goal should not be to create a “government ruled by AI,” but rather a government that uses AI wisely. The final responsibility for policy decisions must remain with human beings. AI can analyze data, but it cannot independently determine a nation’s future values, social philosophy, or long-term vision. True innovation will emerge only when human insight and AI’s computational power are balanced in harmony.
In the AI era, national competitiveness will not depend solely on possessing more powerful AI models. What matters even more is how safely, fairly, and creatively those technologies are integrated into society’s institutional systems. South Korea’s adoption of AI for national R&D budget review demonstrates that the country is entering a new era of governance and science policy. The real question now is whether AI will become merely an “automated review machine” or evolve into an intelligent partner that amplifies human creativity and national strategy. The answer to that question may ultimately shape the future of Korean science and technology. +++
{Solti}
May 14, 2026
Young Choi, PhD is a Professor at Regent University bringing a rare combination of technical expertise and creative spirit to everything he does. A scholar in AI, cybersecurity, and network & telecommunications service management, he has published 38 books including AI and cybersecurity area books, over 200 refereed articles, and over 20 book chapters. Beyond the academy, Dr. Choi is a passionate poet, essayist, and wooden block laser engraving artist whose reflective writing invites readers to rediscover life’s beauty in quiet contemplation(靜觀). He lives under the motto: “Study hard and give generously without holding back! (열심히 공부해서 아낌없이 남주자 !: 열공아남)”
Published books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Young-Choi/author/B0DMZ5S6R7?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true