"Artificial intelligence technology must function as a core national strategic asset that determines a country's productivity and competitiveness, beyond simply being a tool that assists with work."
Lee Seung-hyun, Vice President of 42Maru, made this assertion in his new book "AI Wealth of Nations." The book addresses strategies for South Korea to redesign itself as a nation based on AI amid internal and external crises, including a demographic cliff with a total fertility rate in the 0.7 range and the U.S.-China AI hegemony war.
In the book, Lee defines AI not as a mere work tool but as a national strategic asset that determines a country's wealth and competitiveness. While Adam Smith explained national wealth through division of labor, Lee argues that national wealth must now be analyzed through the lens of AI. Based on this premise, he proposes a new metric called Gross Intelligence Product (GIP), representing the total national intelligence assets, to move beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Specifically, he argues the nation should advance toward: "no intermediaries," where AI detects crises first; "no documents," where machines can immediately read and reason; "no friction," where regulations are algorithmized for advance simulation; "no boundaries," breaking down ministry silos and data barriers; and "no delays," where a national world model predicts and prevents risks.
Lee also articulated the need for sovereign AI in the book. "If we uncritically import and use only foreign giant AI models, our ways of thinking and cultural values will be dominated by foreign algorithms—a state of 'cognitive colonization' and the advent of 'digital feudalism' where we live dependent on a few Big Tech companies," he warned. Additionally, he strongly proposes introducing "universal intelligence rights," guaranteeing all citizens constitutional rights to access top-performing AI, along with "intelligence basic income."
Kim Sung-hoon, CEO of Upstage, recommended the book, saying, "This is not a policymaker discussing only grand narratives, but a practical guidebook infused with intense field experience. It helps readers position themselves as winners in the wealth redistribution process."
Lee previously served as Director of AI Platform Innovation at the Presidential Committee on Digital Platform Government. He is also an adjunct professor at Gachon University's Startup College and serves as an advisor for the Public AX Division at Law Firm Lin.
