Lee calls for stronger international cooperation to bridge AI divide in meeting with World Bank chief

President Lee Jae Myung met Monday with World Bank Group President Ajay Banga, who is visiting South Korea, and called for stronger international cooperation to mitigate the side effects of AI development and close the gap between nations.

Cheong Wa Dae Chief Spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said in a written briefing that Lee received Banga at Cheong Wa Dae on Monday morning, ahead of the Global AI and Digital Summit scheduled for Tuesday. The two sides focused their discussions on mitigating the adverse effects of AI, ensuring AI benefits everyone, and finding ways to reduce inequality both within and across countries.

Lee welcomed Banga and said he hoped the summit would bring together the experiences and wisdom of many nations to ensure that the benefits of AI reach more people. He also said countries need to give sufficient consideration not only to the benefits of AI but also to its side effects, and stressed that international cooperation must be strengthened to address both domestic and cross-border disparities arising from AI development.

Banga said he fully agreed with the South Korean government's vision of "AI for all" and its policy direction toward realizing a "global AI basic society," calling both meaningful and important. He thanked the South Korean government for maintaining a strong partnership with the World Bank Group and said he hoped to continue working with the Korean government and businesses in areas including AI and energy.

Lee said the greatest challenge facing governments around the world is addressing polarization. "Sustainable growth is only possible when the fruits of growth are shared broadly and inequality and disparities are reduced," he said. He urged the World Bank Group and international financial institutions to take a more active role in the international community, with greater attention to reducing inequality and promoting inclusive growth.

Banga said he deeply agreed and said countries must expand job opportunities for young people to address intergenerational inequality. He said AI should be used to create jobs in areas such as infrastructure, farming, health care, tourism and manufacturing.

Lee asked Banga to take a special interest in helping more talented Koreans find positions at the World Bank Group. Cheong Wa Dae said the meeting would serve as an opportunity to share South Korea's development experience and capabilities with the international community and deepen cooperation with the World Bank Group in the areas of AI and energy.