Korea Zinc Establishes Dedicated AI Team and Partners with UNIST to Foster Specialized Talent

Process Improvement and Business Advancement Using AI Technology
MOU with UNIST to Enhance AI Capabilities of Executives and Employees

Korea Zinc has established a dedicated AI organization and is partnering with Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) to strengthen company-wide AI capabilities and foster talent in response to the era of artificial intelligence.

Korea Zinc announced on August 12 that it had carried out an organizational restructuring earlier this month, creating an AI Strategy Team under the TD Technology Headquarters. Composed of experts in IT and data, the AI Strategy Team will work alongside the Onsan Smelter Convergence Innovation Team to advance tasks such as equipment diagnostics and process improvements using AI technology.

The previous day, Korea Zinc signed a business agreement with UNIST to enhance company-wide AI capabilities among its executives and employees. As part of the "AI-based Smart Smelter" initiative at the Onsan Smelter, Korea Zinc, together with UNIST, plans to provide specialized AI training to approximately 300 executives and employees, systematically cultivating practical AI talent.

The specialized AI training will begin on September 2 and run for about four months. The curriculum is designed to enable practical application of AI technology, covering everything from basic AI theory to case studies of industrial implementation. After completing the four-month program, participants will identify field items and engage in project-based learning (PBL) that utilizes actual process data.

In addition, Korea Zinc and UNIST will collaborate in areas such as consulting and joint research on AI and smart manufacturing foundational technologies, as well as continuous talent development and organizational culture improvement to internalize AI technology. The two sides also plan to cooperate in other areas they deem necessary and pursue strategic partnerships leading to technology commercialization.

A Korea Zinc representative stated, "For the success of the smart smelter, it is essential for our executives and employees to understand AI and be able to apply it in practice," adding, "We will strengthen our data-driven management capabilities and foster a technology-centered organizational culture."