Generative AI is reshaping industries across the globe, from automating tasks to driving creative innovation. In the public sector, governments are beginning to realize the immense potential of AI to enhance public services and streamline administrative processes. But how do you get started? In South Korea, a group of passionate Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) and Regional Directors (RDs) are leading the charge, helping citizens and public officials adopt and integrate AI technologies. Here’s how they’re making it happen.
1. The $120 Million Deal: How AI is Shaping Korea’s Telecom Future
Hoon Dong Kim, an AI MVP and RD, is playing a pivotal role in a major milestone within the AI landscape as the head of the AI team at Korea Telecom (KT). Kim has been instrumental in setting the stage for the development of Sovereign AI, a $120 million partnership between KT and Microsoft. This ambitious initiative seeks to drive AI transformation on a national scale, positioning KT as a leader in AI innovation in South Korea.
Hoon Dong Kim said, “Korea Telecom’s partnership with Microsoft demonstrates how large enterprises can harness AI to revolutionize entire industries. This deal isn’t just about technology—it’s about reshaping how businesses and governments operate through AI-driven transformation. As an AI MVP for the past nine years, I am honored to be part of such an important milestone, and I would like to express my gratitude to the MVP program and Microsoft for their tremendous support in helping this project move forward smoothly.”
2. From Startups to Government: How Copilot is Revolutionizing Citizen Services in Seoul
Recently, Microsoft Community Program Manager (CPM), Soyoung Lee, teamed up with JaeSeok Lee, InHee Lee, and Seok Heo, MVPs with expertise in Business Applications and Power Platform, to conduct a series of AI training sessions. These sessions focused on introducing Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT to two distinct groups—entrepreneurs and local government officials in Seoul.
The first session, held at the Seoul AI Hub, targeted citizens interested in how AI could support entrepreneurship. Through a mix of hands-on experience with Power Apps Copilot and discussions on ChatGPT, attendees learned how to create apps, automate processes, and manage data through simple commands. The manager of Seoul AI Hub, Jina Lee expressed her satisfaction and said, “The citizen’s feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many participants expressing excitement about using AI tools to support their startups.”
The second session shifted focus to members of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, where MVPs faced a different challenge. Most council members were unfamiliar with AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot. However, after a demonstration of how Power Automate could streamline administrative tasks, along with a fun, interactive session using DALL-E for image generation, their interest soared. A real-time demonstration of how Copilot could manage council data and answer questions in real time proved to be a highlight.
JaeSeok Lee shared his learning and said, “The hands-on approach allowed participants to see the real-world benefits of AI in action, moving beyond theoretical discussions. Whether they were startup founders or public officials, attendees quickly recognized that automation via AI could save time and boost productivity.”
3. Hacking for Public Good: How AI is Streamlining Government Operations
(YoungWook Kim talks about AI at National Assembly of South Korea in front of Brad Smith, Microsoft Vice Chair and President and the member of the Assembly)
At the KDI School of Public Policy, YoungWook Kim, EunJung Park, and DoKyun Kim—all MVPs specializing in AI platforms—hosted a groundbreaking event titled ‘Hack for Public Good in Korea’. The workshop focused on showing public officials how AI, particularly Microsoft 365 Copilot, can drastically improve efficiency in government operations.
The session also included a Hackathon that brought forward brilliant ideas for public services. One standout idea was a ChatBot AI designed to filter and rephrase citizen complaints that contained inappropriate language, creating more productive communication. Another was an AI tool that assists with drafting legal complaints, which resonated deeply with public officials.
YoungWook Kim shared his experience and said, “From chatbots to automated document creation, the potential for AI to improve government-citizen interactions was clear. The Hackathon allowed public officials to think creatively about how they could use AI to address common challenges in governance.”
4. Building the Next Generation of AI Innovators: Empowering Students and Local Governments
TaeYoung Kim and Hyeshik Yoon, both MVPs and RDs, have been instrumental in spreading AI literacy to both local governments and the next generation of innovators.
In Daejeon, TaeYoung Kim created an Azure-based ChatBot AI for the city and led an initiative that introduced chatbot-building skills to over 1,075 students across 35 schools. He also implemented Azure Search to construct a large-scale vector store, demonstrating how AI can handle massive datasets.
Hyeshik Yoon, meanwhile, organized AI hackathons for students from six universities in Yongin city together with JinKwon Jeon and Bora Lee. These events helped students not only understand AI but also create real-world applications using Microsoft AI tools.
TaeYoung Kim shared his thoughts and said, “Fostering an early understanding of AI will help build a workforce prepared for the demands of an AI-driven world. Both local governments and students are now equipped with the skills to create their own AI tools, which will lead to more innovation in public services.”
Generative AI is Not the Future—It's the Present
These case studies from South Korea showcase how public institutions, enterprises, and the education sector are already harnessing the power of Generative AI to drive change. Thanks to the efforts of MVPs and RDs, the once theoretical concept of AI is now becoming a practical tool for solving real-world challenges.
From automating mundane tasks to empowering future innovators, the global potential for AI is immense. As demand for AI-driven automation and applications grows worldwide, the efforts of these trailblazers provide a clear roadmap for how public and private sectors can embrace Generative AI and make a meaningful impact.
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