AI Data Must Be Connected, Not Collected

South Korea's National Data Office is pushing a significant policy shift for AI development, emphasizing data connection over centralized collection. The MODI platform, or Model Data Intelligence, is central to this strategy. It proposes a distributed framework where data remains with individual ministries but can be securely linked and utilized through standardized interfaces and methodologies. This approach is designed to overcome legal and security constraints associated with centralizing sensitive government data, ensuring that AI models can access up-to-date and verified information for policy analysis and public services. The core challenge for MODI will be the successful implementation of these common data standards across diverse government agencies. Without universal adoption of classification and connection specifications, the initiative risks remaining a conceptual goal. The National Data Office believes that establishing these standards is crucial for developing a reliable national foundation model and enabling "AI for All" services that draw on accurate policy materials.