Asst Prof Gun Kim on the Importance of Civil Engineering in a Global AI Hub
On 2 March 2026, Singapore and South Korea launched an artificial intelligence alliance, with Seoul pledging to establish a US$300 million (S$382 million) global fund here by 2030 to support joint AI development.
The Korea-Singapore AI Connect Summit was attended by the President of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, who was visiting the country, and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.
During the summit, Assistant Professor Gun Kim from NTU School of Civil and Environmental Engineering spoke with President Lee on the critical role civil engineering plays in supporting Singapore’s vision of becoming a global AI hub. He highlighted how civil engineering supports the infrastructure needed for AI advancement such as large-scale power facilities.
Drawing on the potential for a deeper collaboration between Singapore and South Korea, Assistant Professor Gun Kim said: “If we wish to create a stronger synergy, it may be important to look beyond Korean AI companies alone. We could explore a long-term strategic plan together with Korean construction firms based in Singapore, such as establishing an AI-Construction Centre and Centre for SMR Infrastructure.”
“I strongly believe this could further strengthen cooperation between Korea and Singapore and contribute to the continued development of both countries,” he added.
The summit brought together about 150 participants, including AI entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and researchers, providing a platform to explore opportunities in emerging technologies.
Watch the sharing by Assistant Professor Gun Kim:
