Daegu, Ulsan, and Chungbuk Selected as Locations for Manufacturing AI Centers

Regions Selected for Manufacturing AI Centers to Lead Innovation
KRW 12 Billion in Support per Center... Accelerating Development and Demonstration of Manufacturing AI Solutions

On May 28, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced that it has selected three regions for the establishment of Manufacturing AI Centers: Daegu Metropolitan City (Daegu Technopark Consortium), Ulsan Metropolitan City (Ulsan Technopark Consortium), and Chungcheongbuk-do (Chungbuk Technopark Consortium). This selection is part of a regional specialized manufacturing data activation project aimed at promoting manufacturing innovation in each region and increasing the use of AI by SMEs.

The Manufacturing AI Center serves as a hub to support small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in effectively adopting and utilizing AI and manufacturing data. Through the establishment of region-specific platforms, the dissemination of manufacturing AI solutions tailored to key industries, and the operation of regional innovation networks, the centers not only facilitate companies' transition to artificial intelligence (AX) but also play a crucial role in strengthening the capabilities of AI solution providers.

This selection was made through on-site inspections and in-person evaluations, comprehensively assessing strategies for utilizing manufacturing data, project management, and potential for performance dissemination. Each of the three selected centers will receive 12 billion KRW in support.

Daegu aims to enhance competitiveness in the core sectors of the machinery components and materials industry?such as forging, injection molding, cutting, and processing?by introducing AI. To achieve this, the region plans to accelerate the AI transformation (AX) of its manufacturing industry through the establishment of an AI support platform, demonstration of specialized AI solutions, and operation of industry-academia-research cooperation programs in manufacturing AI.

Ulsan plans to implement a comprehensive support program?including the distribution of AI transformation solutions, development of AI-related technologies, platform establishment, training, and support for overseas expansion?to build an open innovation ecosystem for AI utilizing manufacturing data in the automotive parts industry. After achieving initial results, the region intends to expand these efforts to core local industries such as chemicals and shipbuilding, thereby strengthening the overall competitiveness of the regional economy.

Chungbuk aims to promote the adoption of AI technologies and increase AI receptivity among local SMEs, focusing on the bio, cosmetics, and medical device industries. The region plans to establish an integrated support system to foster the convergence bio industry throughout Chungcheongbuk-do, including Cheongju, Chungju, Eumseong, and Jincheon. In particular, Chungbuk will strengthen technical support by developing and demonstrating AI foundation models to solve common problems in the convergence bio industry, building datasets, and verifying and certifying AI solutions.

Kwon Soonjae, Director of Regional Enterprise Policy, stated, "The Manufacturing AI Center will develop specialized areas of manufacturing AI, such as AI-based process optimization, defect prediction, and quality control, reflecting the characteristics of each industry, and will serve as a key hub for nationwide dissemination." He added, "We plan to actively support Daegu, Ulsan, and Chungbuk so that they can each lead the AI transformation in the machinery components and materials, automotive parts, and convergence bio industries, respectively."