A recent study suggests that North Korea is delving into the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies for a range of applications, including responding to COVID-19, safeguarding nuclear reactors, wargaming simulations, and government surveillance.
The study, authored by Hyuk Kim from the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) in California, revealed that despite international sanctions affecting its nuclear weapons program, North Korea is actively pursuing the latest AI technology.
In his report published by the 38 North project on Tuesday, Kim emphasizes that North Korea’s focus on AI/ML development represents a strategic investment to strengthen its digital economy. The study draws on open-source information, including state media and journals.
Although hindered by sanctions, North Korea appears to be overcoming challenges in securing AI hardware.
The report notes instances of collaboration between North Korean AI researchers and foreign scholars, including those in China. Seoul’s spy agency reported signs of North Korean hackers utilizing generative AI to search for targets and acquire technologies for hacking, though no confirmed cyberattacks have been observed yet. The National Intelligence Service is closely monitoring the situation.
The Artificial Intelligence Research Institute was established in North Korea in 2013, with several companies in recent years promoting commercial products featuring AI. Despite heavy restrictions on communications technology in the authoritarian state, North Korea has actively employed AI during the COVID-19 pandemic to model proper mask usage and prioritize clinical symptom indicators of infection.
Furthermore, North Korean scientists have published research on using AI to ensure the safety of nuclear reactors. The report highlights the concerns raised by ongoing collaborations between North Korean researchers and foreign scholars, posing potential challenges to the existing sanctions regime.
Kim concludes that North Korea’s pursuit of a wargaming simulation program using machine learning reveals its intentions to better understand operational environments against potential adversaries. The study highlights the multifaceted challenges posed by North Korea’s AI development and its implications for regional and global security.