Lee meets World Bank president to discuss AI cooperation

President Lee Jae Myung met with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga on Monday to discuss cooperation in AI and energy.

Lee received Banga at Cheong Wa Dae. Banga is visiting South Korea to attend the Global AI Digital Summit.

The two discussed the World Bank's efforts to expand AI capacity in developing countries.

The talks build on Lee's vision of a "Global AI Basic Society," which he announced at last year's G20 summit. Lee has repeatedly stressed that AI should be treated as a public good for all of humanity, not the exclusive domain of a handful of advanced nations.

The meeting also covered ways to apply South Korea's experience and expertise to help developing countries improve energy access.

Banga took office as World Bank Group president in June 2023. He previously served as vice chairman of US private equity firm General Atlantic and as CEO of Mastercard.

Also on Monday, Lee is set to present appointment certificates to Kim Ji-yong, the inaugural chief of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, along with recently appointed cabinet members and senior Cheong Wa Dae staff.

Lee will present certificates to Kim and to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lee Hyeong-il, Defense Minister Kang Shin-cheol, Land Minister Hong Ji-seon, SMEs and Startups Minister Lee So-young, Cheong Wa Dae Policy Chief Ha Jun-kyung, Office for Government Policy Coordination Director Im Gi-geun, and Song Du-hwan, chairman of the Special Investigation Committee on the Truth and Prevention of Recurrence of the Oct. 29 Itaewon Crowd Crush.

Earlier, Lee presented an appointment certificate to Presidential Chief of Staff Im Gwang-hyeon on Thursday.