LG Forms World's First AI Alliance... Begins Chemical Material Development

Promoting Joint Research Through Global Industry-Academia Collaboration

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] LG is embarking on the development of next-generation chemical materials, such as eco-friendly catalysts, by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics technology.

LG Science Park recently announced on the 13th that it has formed the "AI-based Material Development Consortium (A3MD)" in collaboration with the University of Toronto and McMaster University in Canada, and the French energy and petroleum company Total, and will promote joint research.

A3MD is the world's first AI alliance involving top global academic and industrial partners in the field of AI-driven material development. LG, as a founding member, will secure advanced AI technologies for new material development while establishing a joint research and development network with AI experts in the materials field.

This consortium aims to develop "eco-friendly catalysts" and "next-generation optical materials" by building various AI modeling and automated experimental platforms. Traditional material research involves first discovering new materials, then synthesizing and verifying their properties repeatedly, which can take several years or even decades to develop new materials.

In contrast, applying AI technology to material development allows for more accurate understanding of material properties data and significantly reduces development costs and time compared to conventional research methods that require repeated experiments, enabling faster provision of customized materials for each client.

For example, compounds such as ethylene extracted from petrochemical processes can also be produced from carbon dioxide in the air, and catalysts that induce these chemical reactions can be designed using machine learning and automated robotic systems.

The consortium includes world-renowned professors such as Ted Sargent and Allan Aspuru-Guzik from the University of Toronto, and Drew Higgins from McMaster University, who are authorities in AI for materials informatics, computational chemistry, and large-scale experimental automation using robotics. Total, actively developing AI solutions for energy data analysis, also participates as an industry partner.

A3MD plans to share outcomes such as generated data and algorithms through joint projects conducted via non-face-to-face online video conferences, and to increase exchanges through AI education programs, expert forums, and corporate internships.

LG Science Park is conducting various research in deep learning, machine learning, and more through collaboration with leading global institutions including the University of Toronto, a pioneer in the AI field.

Background Hoon Bae, Head of AI Promotion Division at LG Science Park, said, “LG will continue meaningful research that can change customers’ lives by securing internal and external AI capabilities through open partnerships with global AI leaders not only in the chemical materials field but across various domains, solving challenges around us.”