Kim Jong Un
All peopleKim Jong Un, full AI read
Kim Jong Un, Supreme Leader of North Korea (PRK), ranks #151/500 on the Power & Influence Index (56.4). Greatest lever: Entrenchment / tenure (92.0, Leading). Entrenchment 92/100.
Dimension read
| Dimension | Value | Standing | What a high vs low value means, and where Kim Jong Un sits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PII Power & Influence (PII) | 56.4 | Strong · #151/635 | High here, near the apex of civilizational influence. ▲ high: near the apex of civilizational influence · ▼ low: lower relative influence within this elite set |
| Economic power Economic power | 40.0 | Developing · #539/635 | Low here, limited economic control. ▲ high: controls vast wealth and companies · ▼ low: limited economic control |
| Political power Political power | 86.0 | Leading · #9/635 | High here, commands states, law or policy. ▲ high: commands states, law or policy · ▼ low: little formal political power |
| AI power AI power | 31.2 | Moderate · #396/635 | Mid-pack. High would mean shapes or controls the trajectory of AI; low would mean limited sway over AI's direction. ▲ high: shapes or controls the trajectory of AI · ▼ low: limited sway over AI's direction |
| Platform reach Platform reach | 50.0 | Moderate · #310/635 | Mid-pack. High would mean commands a vast audience or network; low would mean limited direct reach. ▲ high: commands a vast audience or network · ▼ low: limited direct reach |
| Institutional control Institutional control | 80.0 | Strong · #121/635 | High here, controls pivotal institutions and capital. ▲ high: controls pivotal institutions and capital · ▼ low: limited institutional control |
| Entrenchment / tenure Entrenchment / tenure | 92.0 | Leading · #4/635 | High here, power is locked in (indefinite or controlling stake). ▲ high: power is locked in (indefinite or controlling stake) · ▼ low: power is contingent, term-limited or contestable |
Strengths
- Entrenchment / tenure (92.0, Leading), power is locked in (indefinite or controlling stake).
- Political power (86.0, Leading), commands states, law or policy.
- Institutional control (80.0, Strong), controls pivotal institutions and capital.
Risk factors
- Highly entrenched (tenure 92): power is locked in and hard to contest or remove.
AI worldview
Ideas & positions
Kim Jong Un has not made extensive public statements specifically about artificial intelligence. However, his regime has shown interest in developing AI capabilities, particularly in areas such as cybersecurity and military applications. In 2019, North Korea's state media reported that Kim Jong Un visited the Pyongyang University of Automation, indicating a focus on advancing domestic AI research and development. There is no clear public position from Kim on existential risk, open vs closed models, or specific regulatory frameworks for AI.
What shapes the view
The North Korean government's interest in AI is driven by its strategic goals of enhancing national security and technological self-sufficiency. The regime's emphasis on military and cyber capabilities suggests that AI development is primarily seen as a tool for strengthening the state's defensive and offensive capacities. Economic factors, such as the need to modernize industries and maintain a competitive edge, also play a role in the regime's AI strategy.
The AI-powered future they see
Kim Jong Un's public predictions about the AI-powered future are limited, but the regime's actions suggest a focus on using AI to bolster military and cyber capabilities. North Korea's state media has highlighted the potential of AI to enhance national defense and economic efficiency. The regime's vision of the future likely includes AI as a key component of its technological and strategic advancements, aimed at maintaining and strengthening the state's control and international standing.