Groundbreaking Ceremony for Ulsan AI Data Center and Proclamation as "Capital of AI" on August 29
A Major Shift: From Traditional Manufacturing Powerhouse to Hub of Artificial Intelligence Industry
Ulsan City has announced its ambition to transform from a traditional manufacturing powerhouse into a hub for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry.
On August 29 at 2 p.m., Ulsan City and SK will hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the "Ulsan AI Data Center" and a proclamation event declaring Ulsan as the "Capital of AI" at the Mipo National Industrial Complex, officially launching the construction of the AI data center infrastructure.
The event will be attended by approximately 200 people, including Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom, Choi Chang-won, Chairman of the SK SUPEX Council, Yoo Young-sang, CEO of SK Telecom, representatives from SK and Amazon Web Services (AWS), local members of the National Assembly from Ulsan, AI-related academics, and business leaders.
The ceremony will proceed with introductions of distinguished guests, welcoming remarks, the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Ulsan City and SK Telecom, followed by the proclamation of Ulsan as the Capital of AI.
During the proclamation event held alongside the groundbreaking ceremony, Mayor Kim Doo-gyeom will officially announce Ulsan's new vision by reading the declaration.
Mayor Kim is expected to emphasize, "Over the past half-century, Ulsan has established itself as the industrial capital driving the national economy. Now, building on that experience and pride, we are embarking on a new challenge as the Capital of AI. Breaking ground on one of the world’s largest AI data centers is not just about building infrastructure-it marks the starting point for accelerating transformation and innovation across Ulsan’s core industries, including manufacturing, logistics, energy, and maritime, by integrating artificial intelligence."
Through the declaration, Ulsan pledges to: lead AI-based autonomous manufacturing and smart innovation industries; foster innovative talent focused on industrial and research sites; create an industrial ecosystem where large corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises, and startups grow together; and become a global standard city for manufacturing and industrial artificial intelligence.
In particular, the city will proclaim its determination to "work together with citizens, students, relevant organizations, our partner SK, manufacturing demand and supply companies in Ulsan, and the Ulsan City government to reinvigorate Ulsan as the leader of industrial artificial intelligence in Korea."
Once the Ulsan AI Data Center is completed, AI-based services centered in Ulsan are expected to expand across industrial sites nationwide, greatly enhancing national competitiveness. Ulsan is also poised to emerge as a world-class industrial city where traditional and advanced industries converge.
Ulsan City defines this project as the starting point for preparing for "Ulsan’s Next 50 Years" and plans to actively support investment attraction and regulatory approvals for future expansion to a 1GW scale, thereby solidifying Ulsan’s position as a global AI hub.
The Ulsan AI Data Center project is being pursued through collaboration between SK Broadband, which has domestic and international network and ICT infrastructure capabilities, and Amazon Web Services (AWS), which possesses world-leading cloud and AI technology.
The AI Data Center will serve not merely as a data storage facility, but as the brain of intelligent industry-handling large-scale AI training and analysis, providing industry-specific resource-sharing (cloud) services, and enabling ultra-fast data processing.
Notably, by integrating AI into Ulsan’s core industries such as shipbuilding, automotive, and petrochemicals, the city is expected to accelerate the transition to smart shipbuilding, intelligent automotive factories, and eco-friendly energy plants.
Through this initiative, Ulsan City anticipates becoming the central hub for Korea’s artificial intelligence industry.
Ulsan City Hall.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
