The Science and Technology Policy Institute (STEPI) held the “2026 STEPI Global Symposium” on May 28 at Samsung Centennial Hall, Korea University. Under the theme “Innovation Responding to Change: Innovation Ecosystems and R&D in the AI Era,” scholars from five countries—the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea—discussed innovation ecosystems and R&D policy directions in the AI era.

In his opening remarks, STEPI President Yoon Ji-woong emphasized that AI is transforming scientific knowledge production, R&D management, and value creation, and stressed the need to redesign the entire innovation ecosystem. Professor Tim Minshall (University of Cambridge) highlighted the development of the Cambridge Innovation Cluster and the importance of strong linkages among key ecosystem actors. Alberto Di Minin (Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Italy) discussed connecting research outcomes to industrial competitiveness through EU policy examples.

President Yoon also analyzed Korea’s innovation ecosystem, identifying challenges such as declining competitiveness and STEM talent shortages, and proposed a shift toward a dynamic, network-based, and inclusive innovation model. In the panel discussion, participants compared innovation cases from Tsukuba, Daedeok, and Cambridge, and emphasized the need for more flexible, citizen- and entrepreneur-centered ecosystems, along with strategies for AI sovereignty and improved governance.