Data ministry explores AI-friendly global data standards with OECD, ADB

The Ministry of Data and Statistics opened a three-day workshop in Seoul on Tuesday with the OECD and the Asian Development Bank to explore AI-friendly global data standards. More than 80 experts from 25 countries are attending sessions on Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange and ways to use AI to improve data quality and production. Minister Ahn Hyung-jun said the ministry wants to build data infrastructure that helps AI reliably search and use official statistics while reducing hallucinations.

The workshop brings together more than 80 data experts from statistical agencies and central banks in 25 countries.

Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange is the main international standard highlighted at the workshop.

The final day includes an SDMx + AI Innovation Hackathon using the model context protocol to develop data service models.

Ahn Hyung-jun said the ministry will prioritize developing AI-friendly statistical metadata so AI can accurately understand official statistics.

The ministry said it wants metadata architecture and standards that are compatible with international norms and that it will contribute to global discussions.

Published Sep 15, 2026 2:29 pm KST

Vice Data Minister Lee Myoung-ho, sixth from left, poses with other participants during an international workshop on artificial intelligence-driven innovation in data standards at a hotel in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Data and Statistics

Korea is stepping up efforts to make official statistics and other public data more accessible to artificial intelligence (AI) and explore AI-friendly global data standards to develop data that AI can more accurately understand and use, the Ministry of Data and Statistics said Tuesday.

Toward that end, in collaboration with the OECD and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the ministry opened a three-day workshop in Seoul, Tuesday, bringing together more than 80 data experts from statistical agencies and central banks in 25 countries.

A key focus is Statistical Data and Metadata eXchange (SDMx), an international standard that enables statistics and related information to be exchanged across different systems.

Various sessions cover ways to standardize and manage data for AI and use AI tools to improve data quality and streamline data production and management. Experts in data standards and AI from major international organizations, including the OECD and the Bank for International Settlements, serve as instructors.

On the final day, participants will take part in the SDMx + AI Innovation Hackathon, using the model context protocol to develop and present data service models that enable AI to access and use official statistics.

Minister of Data and Statistics Ahn Hyung-jun

“Through this workshop, the international statistical standard SDMx and AI were brought together in a practical setting, demonstrating how data and AI can enhance each other’s value,” Minister of Data and Statistics Ahn Hyung-jun said in an interview with The Korea Times.

“We will be able to strengthen practical capabilities to adopt global standards and cutting-edge technologies into the national data framework by sharing the latest technological trends and implementation experiences with international organizations and Asia-Pacific data and AI experts.”

Ahn noted that the ministry’s vision for data governance is to safely connect fragmented data at home and deliver its value to people’s lives, while working with the international community to turn Korea’s experience into global standards.

The minister also emphasized the importance of “good data,” which he defined as reliable, high-quality and well-structured data backed by rigorous quality management and standardization.

He vowed to prioritize developing AI-friendly statistical metadata to ensure that AI can accurately understand and use official statistics, pointing to a growing problem in which AI systems rely on secondary sources rather than official statistical databases, increasing the risk of inaccurate information.

The ministry therefore plans to build data infrastructure that allows AI to reliably search for, select and use official statistics while minimizing the risk of hallucinations.

"The establishment of AI-friendly statistical metadata presents an opportunity to chart a course for the metadata structures, standards and principles of the AI era in the international community," he said.

He stressed that the ministry will ensure international standards and compatibility in its metadata architecture and design while sharing its expertise and actively contributing to global discussions.

“Building upon these milestones, we will take a leading role in shaping global standards for the AI-ready statistical data ecosystem,” he said.

Data ministry to release daily price updates ahead of Chuseok

韩国数据统计部周二在首尔与经合组织和亚洲开发银行联合举办为期三天的研讨会，旨在探讨人工智能友好的全球数据标准。来自25个国家的80多位专家参加了关于统计数据和元数据交换以及如何利用人工智能提高数据质量和产量的研讨会。数据统计部部长安亨俊表示，该部希望构建一个能够帮助人工智能可靠地搜索和使用官方统计数据，同时减少误判的数据基础设施。

本次研讨会将汇聚来自 25 个国家统计机构和中央银行的 80 多位数据专家。

统计数据和元数据交换是本次研讨会上重点介绍的主要国际标准。

最后一天将举办 SDMx + AI 创新黑客马拉松，使用模型上下文协议开发数据服务模型。

安亨俊表示，该部将优先开发对人工智能友好的统计元数据，以便人工智能能够准确理解官方统计数据。

该部表示，它希望建立符合国际规范的元数据架构和标准，并将为全球讨论做出贡献。

发布于2026年9月15日下午2:29（韩国标准时间）

周二，韩国数据统计部副部长李明浩（左六）在首尔一家酒店出席人工智能驱动数据标准创新国际研讨会时与其他与会者合影。图片由韩国数据统计部提供。

韩国数据统计部周二表示，韩国正在加大力度，使官方统计数据和其他公共数据更容易被人工智能（AI）获取，并探索对人工智能友好的全球数据标准，以开发人工智能可以更准确地理解和使用的数据。

为此，该部与经合组织和亚洲开发银行合作，于周二在首尔举办了为期三天的研讨会，汇集了来自 25 个国家统计机构和中央银行的 80 多名数据专家。

重点是统计数据和元数据交换 (SDMx)，这是一个国际标准，它使统计数据和相关信息能够在不同的系统之间交换。

各类课程涵盖人工智能数据标准化和管理方法，以及如何利用人工智能工具提升数据质量、简化数据生成和管理流程。来自经合组织和国际清算银行等主要国际组织的数据标准和人工智能专家担任讲师。

在最后一天，参与者将参加 SDMx + AI 创新黑客马拉松，使用模型上下文协议开发和展示数据服务模型，使 AI 能够访问和使用官方统计数据。

数据统计部长官安亨俊

“通过这次研讨会，国际统计标准SDMx和人工智能在实际环境中结合在一起，展示了数据和人工智能如何相互提升价值，”韩国数据统计部长官安亨俊在接受《韩国时报》采访时表示。

“通过与国际组织和亚太地区数据与人工智能专家分享最新的技术趋势和实施经验，我们将能够加强将全球标准和尖端技术融入国家数据框架的实际能力。”

安指出，该部的数据治理愿景是安全地连接国内分散的数据，并将其价值带入人们的生活中，同时与国际社会合作，将韩国的经验转化为全球标准。

部长还强调了“良好数据”的重要性，他将其定义为可靠、高质量、结构良好的数据，并辅以严格的质量管理和标准化。

他承诺将优先开发对人工智能友好的统计元数据，以确保人工智能能够准确理解和使用官方统计数据。他指出，人工智能系统依赖二手资料而非官方统计数据库的问题日益严重，增加了信息不准确的风险。

因此，该部计划建立数据基础设施，使人工智能能够可靠地搜索、选择和使用官方统计数据，同时最大限度地降低出现幻觉的风险。

他说：“建立对人工智能友好的统计元数据，为国际社会规划人工智能时代的元数据结构、标准和原则提供了契机。”

他强调，该部将确保其元数据架构和设计符合国际标准和兼容性，同时分享其专业知识并积极参与全球讨论。

“我们将以这些里程碑为基础，在塑造面向人工智能的统计数据生态系统的全球标准方面发挥领导作用，”他说道。

数据科学部将在中秋节前发布每日物价更新。