ITIF-KAIST Forum 2025 on National Strategic Technology & Innovation
Navigating Cooperation and Fostering Innovation in an Era of Global Tech Hegemony
2025년 상반기 국가전략기술 혁신포럼
The aftermath of political and economic conflicts around the world—shaped by policy strategies from Trump’s second administration—is significantly impacting global science and technology collaboration. As the scale and speed of these changes accelerate, particularly amid intensifying tensions between the United States (U.S.) and China, it is both timely and important to take a deeper look at the challenges ahead.
Please join the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST) for a joint forum with a distinguished group of experts who will confront the turbulence stemming from the Trump administration’s strategic direction, explore critical questions surrounding technology sovereignty, and discuss practical pathways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea (ROK).
Date: Thursday, May 22, 2025
Time: 1:30 – 5:10 PM Korea Standard Time (KST)
Location: KAIST, Jung Geun-Mo Conference Hall (5th floor, E9 building), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
RSVP: Register online https://forms.gle/qoXeraZRiFF7k9319
by May 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM KST.
Event Summary
In today’s complex geopolitical landscape, science and technology are no longer regarded as neutral instruments of progress—they have become strategic assets that shape national power and global influence. Countries around the world are striving to gain an edge in key technologies deemed critical to national security, economic competitiveness, and societal advancement, such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, autonomous systems, and synthetic biology.
As the global competition for technological supremacy intensifies, we are witnessing a rise in techno-nationalism and the formation of geopolitical blocs. Nations are increasingly prioritizing technological self-sufficiency and aligning with like-minded, value-sharing partners. These developments are placing growing strain on international cooperation and risk slowing down the overall pace of innovation.
In response to these evolving dynamics, the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), a leading institution in science and engineering, and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), a prominent Washington, D.C.-based think tank specializing in the intersection of technological innovation and public policy, will co-host a joint forum in Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
The ITIF-KAIST Forum 2025 will analyze technology policy trends and global strategic initiatives, while facilitating dialogue to enhance U.S.-ROK cooperation in science and technology. The forum will provide a platform for leading experts from academia, industry, public institutes, and government to engage in meaningful dialogue, share insights, and explore opportunities for strengthening U.S.-ROK collaboration and innovation in critical and emerging technologies (CETs).
Key Discussion Topics
· Korea’s strategic growth in the Trump 2.0 era
· U.S.-China tensions and their implications for the global community and Korea
· Advancing U.S.-ROK cooperation through strategic technology partnerships
· In-depth analysis of high-impact technologies, such as AI, next-generation nuclear energy, graphene production, and AI semiconductors
Agenda
1:30-1:35 PM PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
SESSION I: U.S.-ROK SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION
1:35-1:40 PM Opening Remarks
Kwang-Hyung Lee, President, KAIST
1:40-1:45 PM Welcome Remarks
Sang-Im Yoo, Minister of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea
1:45-2:15 PM Keynote Speech
“Korea’s Growth Reset in the Trump 2.0 Era”
Robert Atkinson, President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF)
2:15-2:25 PM Topic Presentation I
“Repercussions of U.S.-China Tensions for the ROK and Beyond”
Stephen Ezell, Vice President for Global Innovation Policy, ITIF
2:25-2:35 PM Topic Presentation II
“Advancing U.S.-ROK Cooperation through Strategic Technology Partnerships”
Kyungjin Song, Country Representative, Asia Foundation Korea Office
2:35-2:45 PM Topic Presentation III
“The Value of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) in the Age of AI”
Jaemin Jung, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Convergence Science, KAIST
2:45-3:25 PM Panel Discussion and Q&A
Moderator: So Young Kim, Vice President, International Office, KAIST
Panelists:
- Stephen Ezell, Vice President for Global Innovation Policy, ITIF
- Kyungjin Song, Country Representative, Asia Foundation Korea Office
- Jaemin Jung, Dean, Liberal Arts & Convergence Science College, KAIST
- Jeoghee Kang, Esq., Partner, BAE, KIM & LEE LL
3:25-3:35 PM COFFEE BREAK
SESSION II: KEY TECHNOLOGY AREAS FOR U.S.-ROK COOPERATION
3:35-3:50 PM Topic Presentation I
“ROK-US Collaborations for Truly Sustainable Next Generation Nuclear Energy”
Yonghee KIM, President, Future Institute for National Strategic Technology and Policy (FINST&P), KAIST
3:50-4:05 PM Topic Presentation II
“Scalable Graphene Production: A Breakthrough in Material Innovation”
Byung Hee Hong, Professor, School of Chemistry, Seoul National University
4:05-4:20 PM Topic Presentation III
“The Present and Future of AI Semiconductors”
Hoi-Jun Yoo, Director, Graduate School of AI Semiconductor, KAIST
4:20-5:10 PM Panel Discussion and Q&A
Moderator: Ji-Woong Yoon, President, Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI)
Panelists:
- Yonghee KIM, President, FINST&P, KAIST
- Byung Hee Hong, Professor, Seoul National University
- Hoi-Jun Yoo, Director, AI Semiconductor Graduate School, KAIST
- Soo-Geun Kwak, News Reporter, Chosun Biz
- Yong-Kyu Kim, Managing Director, Doosan Enerbility Co., Ltd
Additional Information
· Sejin Kim, Associate Director at the Center for Korean Innovation and Competitiveness at ITIF, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the entire ITIF-KAIST Forum.
· Simultaneous interpretation between English and Korean will be available on-site.
· The KAIST YouTube channel will livestream the forum on May 22, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 5:10 PM Korea Standard Time.
· This event is sponsored by the Ministry of Science and ICT, Republic of Korea.
Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/qoXeraZRiFF7k9319 by May 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM KST
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