BCG report puts South Korea in top-tier AI 'Pioneers' group
South Korea joins the US, China, the UK, Singapore and Canada in the Pioneers tier of BCG's AI Maturity Matrix 2026, alongside newly added Japan.
Boston Consulting Group has published a report titled "AI Maturity Matrix 2026" that analyzes AI maturity across more than 75 economies, and places South Korea in the top-tier "Pioneers" group. The Pioneers tier also includes the US, China, the UK, Singapore and Canada, according to datanet.co.kr.
South Korea and Japan are the two economies newly entering the Pioneers group since BCG's first survey in 2024. In that earlier survey, the company conducted its first assessment of economies' AI maturity.
The report evaluates economies on two axes, AI exposure and AI readiness, with readiness analyzed through the six-area ASPIRE framework. Eight economies, including South Korea and Japan, moved up an AI readiness level compared with 2024.
Separately, South Korea ranked in the global top five for notable AI model development in Stanford HAI's 2026 AI Index, the report noted.
Joerg Hildebrandt, BCG's global public sector leader, commented on government execution in turning AI strategies into capabilities.
Quick answers
What is BCG's AI Maturity Matrix 2026?
It is a Boston Consulting Group report analyzing AI maturity across more than 75 economies, evaluating them on AI exposure and AI readiness.
Which economies are in the Pioneers group?
South Korea, the US, China, the UK, Singapore and Canada. South Korea and Japan are the two economies newly entering the group since the first survey in 2024.