North Korea appears to be incorporating ChatGPT, OpenAI's generative AI service, into its advanced educational programs, according to recent reports from Voice of Korea, a Pyongyang propaganda outlet.
Researchers at Kim Il Sung University's AI research institute have been observed studying ChatGPT's functionalities and examining how the system generates text responses based on user prompts. The institute is utilizing specialized learning materials to understand the technology.
"Our focus is on understanding and acquiring advanced technology to adapt it for domestic use," said Han Chol-jin, a researcher at Kim Il Sung University. However, given North Korea's heavily restricted internet access, questions remain about whether researchers have direct access to the ChatGPT service.
The development comes as North Korea shows increased interest in artificial intelligence advances. Choson Sinbo, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper in Japan, recently published reports on global AI developments, particularly focusing on Chinese AI technologies like DeepSeek.
Meanwhile, OpenAI has taken action against potential misuse of its technology by North Korean actors. The company banned several accounts suspected of generating fake job application materials, including resumes and cover letters, as part of what appears to be a scheme to deploy North Korean IT workers overseas.
"The activity we disrupted shared characteristics publicly reported in relation to North Korean state efforts to funnel income through deceptive hiring schemes," OpenAI stated in a recent report.
The company continues monitoring potential misuse while North Korea pursues its interests in advanced AI technologies, highlighting the complex balance between technological advancement and security concerns in the AI landscape.