Ministry of Science and ICT Announces 2021 New Intelligent Informatization Projects to Support Socially Vulnerable Groups

Submit Documents by March 30

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] The government is calling for four new projects as part of the 2021 Intelligent Informatization Project.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 25th that it will open applications for the "Social Issue Resolution Intelligent Informatization Project," which uses intelligent information technology to solve daily life difficulties faced by socially vulnerable groups such as the disabled and the elderly, starting from the 26th.

This is a demonstration project promoted by the National Information Society Agency (NIA) since 2019. Each year, two outstanding projects from the previous year and four new projects are selected, with funding of around 1 billion KRW per project. Projects that received continued support last year include intelligent kiosk barrier-free services and smart safe nursing services.

Among the four newly promoted projects this year, three topics were designated through field interviews, expert research groups, and public contests, while one project will be pursued through an open call.

The detailed designated project topics are ▲ an outdoor navigation service that supports wheelchair users to safely reach their desired destinations ▲ a sign language-based early childhood education service where hearing-impaired children can learn sign language with their parents at home and also learn Korean letters and numbers through sign language ▲ a smart reading support service that allows visually impaired students to quickly access substitute books such as exam preparation and major textbooks and read them anytime and anywhere without restrictions.

The open call project allows free planning and proposals of intelligent information services that can alleviate difficulties faced by socially vulnerable groups, excluding projects supported in 2019?2020 and the designated projects.

An official from the Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "People must always be at the center of intelligent information technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and big data," adding, "We hope this project will lay the foundation for a digitally inclusive society where all citizens, including socially vulnerable groups, can equally enjoy the benefits of the Digital New Deal."

Local governments, institutions, and companies wishing to participate can form a consortium and submit related documents to NIA by the 30th of next month. Online submissions are accepted until 10 a.m. on the day, and in-person submissions until 2 p.m. The NIA, the project’s dedicated agency, will support participation through online project briefings and other means.

Meanwhile, the online project briefing will be conducted via KakaoTV and YouTube. Detailed information about this call, including contact matching for interested institutions and companies, can be found on the Ministry of Science and ICT website and the NIA website.