UNIST to Lead Major Transformation of Busan Industry... Full-Scale Training of AI Management Leaders

Busan AX CEO Program to Launch in September
Applications Open Until August 14
Comprehensive Support from UNIST Faculty
From Education to Commercialization

UNIST (President Park Jongrae) is expanding its AI-based regional industrial transformation strategy to Busan.

Amid intensifying global competition for AI technology leadership, UNIST will launch the first cohort of the "Busan AX (Artificial Intelligence Transformation) CEO Program" starting in September.

The program targets CEOs of small and medium-sized enterprises as well as leaders of public institutions in the Busan area.

This program is part of the Busan Research and Development Special Zone project and will be operated based on the extensive educational experience of UNIST's distinguished faculty. The scope of participation will be expanded not only to companies within the special zone but also to industrial firms throughout Busan, accelerating digital transformation and AI adoption across the entire region.

Notably, the customized curriculum, centered on practical demonstration, is designed around real-world tasks to provide companies with strategic insights that can be immediately applied in practice.

UNIST has already trained 340 AI specialists from 222 companies in the Ulsan and Gyeongnam regions. In the manufacturing sector, tangible innovations such as actual cost reduction and quality improvement have been realized.

This expansion into Busan is expected to serve as a significant turning point for advancing the AI-based technology commercialization ecosystem and establishing a collaborative industry-academia-research commercialization system.

Park Jongrae, President of UNIST, stated, "AI is no longer a choice but a strategic tool for survival," adding, "UNIST will nurture AI-specialized executives in collaboration with the Busan Research and Development Special Zone and establish itself as an open innovation hub for co-prosperity in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region."

The program will be conducted using UNIST's industry-academia cooperation infrastructure and the demonstration and commercialization support of the Research and Development Special Zone Foundation. Comprehensive follow-up support will be provided throughout the entire cycle, from AI-based demonstration planning to proof of concept (PoC) and technology commercialization.

This initiative aligns with the government's policies for digital transformation of regional industries, the creation of a science and technology innovation ecosystem, and balanced regional growth. At the same time, it is drawing attention as a model for industrial diffusion of national R&D achievements and for restoring industrial competitiveness in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region, including Busan.

Applications will be accepted until August 14, and the application form can be downloaded from the UNIST website. Submissions are accepted via email.