Industry, Academia, Research, and Government Join Forces to Build AI Hub in Ansan Free Economic Zone

Agreement to Boost AI-Based Business Support and Technology Public Projects

In order to ensure the success of the Ansan Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone, which was recently designated by the government, local governments, regional universities, companies, and research institutes are joining forces.

Participants are holding up the agreement at the "Agreement Ceremony for AI Technology Support and Cooperation in Participating in Government Public Projects" held by Ansan City at Hanyang University ERICA. Provided by Ansan City

On the 24th, Ansan City announced that it had held a "Business Agreement Ceremony for AI Technology Support and Cooperation in Participating in Government Public Projects" at the Prime Conference Hall of Hanyang University ERICA.

The agreement was attended by Lee Mingeun, Mayor of Ansan City; Lee Gihyung, Vice President for Industry-Academia Cooperation at Hanyang University; Lee Sunggyun, Secretary General of the Ansan Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Hwang Sanghyun, Head of the Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters of Korea Industrial Complex Corporation; Lee Junki, President of the Smart Hub Managers Association; Byun Hwasoon, President of the Smart Hub Women Entrepreneurs Association; Lee Juhan, Vice President for Research at Korea University Ansan Hospital; and Lee Mija, President of the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency Training Institute, along with many other representatives from local industry, academia, research, and government sectors.

Previously, in July, to strategically respond to digital transformation and foster the AI industry, Ansan City formed the "AI Joint Policy Working Council," which includes nine organizations: Ansan City, Hanyang University, Ansan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gyeonggi Technopark, Korea Industrial Complex Corporation Gyeonggi Regional Headquarters, Smart Hub Managers Association, Smart Hub Women Entrepreneurs Association, Korea University Ansan Hospital, and Korea SMEs and Startups Agency Training Institute.

In particular, starting with a meeting to establish the AI Hub Center at Hanyang University ERICA in February, Ansan City began forming an AI council and has continued to hold meetings with related organizations in the city to actively participate in government public projects related to AI.

Based on this cooperation, the city plans to develop Ansan Science Valley (ASV), which was newly designated as a Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone, into a global research and development (R&D) hub for advanced robotics and manufacturing industries.

Lee Mingeun, Mayor of Ansan City, stated, "Through this agreement, we will further strengthen our cooperation system and begin in earnest to foster the AI industry and support businesses. In particular, by jointly responding to AI-related public projects, we will create an innovation ecosystem worthy of the status of a free economic zone."

Based on this collaboration, the city will conduct a "Study on Establishing Ansan City's AI Transformation Strategy" within this year. In the first half of next year, it also plans to establish a "Basic Plan for AI" and enact related ordinances.