AI Adoption Rate in SME Manufacturing to Rise from 1% to 10% Within 5 Years
Supporting SME Manufacturing Competitiveness in the Era of AI Transformation
Fostering 500 Specialized Manufacturing AI Companies
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups is set to actively promote manufacturing innovation based on artificial intelligence (AI). The ministry aims to drive a comprehensive "AI transformation" across not only large corporations but also small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), thereby enhancing the competitiveness of domestic manufacturing.
On the 24th, the Ministry announced the "AI-Based Smart Manufacturing Innovation 3.0 Strategy" at the 5th Government Policy Coordination Ministers' Meeting.
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced the "AI-Based Smart Manufacturing Innovation 3.0 Strategy" on the 24th. Ministry of SMEs and Startups
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups has set a goal to distribute AI-centric smart factories to 12,000 companies by 2030. The ministry plans to raise the AI adoption rate among small and medium-sized manufacturing companies from the current 1% to 10%. It also aims to improve job quality at SMEs by targeting a 20% reduction in industrial accident rates, and to foster 500 specialized manufacturing AI companies to secure smart manufacturing technology at the level of global advanced economies.
The ministry will first nurture leading models of autonomous manufacturing among SMEs through customized support according to their level. Vertical AI will be introduced in phases, building on the digital transformation infrastructure such as smart factories tailored to the size and capabilities of SMEs, while strengthening pre- and post-consulting services to establish a comprehensive support system for AI utilization throughout the entire manufacturing process.
The ministry will also promote AI transformation (AX) specialized by supply chain, region, and industry. It will advance "coexistence-type smart factories," which leverage large language models (LLMs) of major corporations to support AI adoption by SME partners, and will support AI transformation at the supply chain level rather than for individual companies. Regional manufacturing innovation policies will be further developed, and inter-ministerial cooperation will be strengthened to support the introduction of smart factories optimized for industries such as food and cosmetics, which are specialized sectors for SMEs.
The ministry will establish a system to foster the smart manufacturing industry and specialized companies. Strategic technology development for smart factories will be promoted, and support will be strengthened to ensure that outstanding R&D results can be commercialized. Tailored support will be provided at each stage of growth, from startup and venture investment to market expansion and overseas entry for smart manufacturing technology companies.
Infrastructure for smart manufacturing innovation will also be expanded to internalize manufacturing AI. The ministry will select key equipment at SME manufacturing sites and promote manufacturing data standardization by applying international standards (AAS). It also plans to secure 1,000 manufacturing datasets and make them available to the private sector. Support will be provided at all stages of employment to strengthen AI literacy among key SME manufacturing personnel, including researchers, practitioners, current employees, and job seekers.
The ministry will strengthen collaboration among central government, private sector, and regional entities in smart manufacturing innovation, and will work to establish the Manufacturing AI 24 platform to provide one-stop support for the digital and AI transformation of SMEs.
Minister Han Seong-sook stated, "Through Smart Manufacturing Innovation 3.0, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups will support small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in actively utilizing AI to enhance manufacturing productivity and prevent industrial accidents, enabling them to grow into 'truly strong SMEs' that attract young talent."
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced the "AI-Based Smart Manufacturing Innovation 3.0 Strategy" on the 24th. Ministry of SMEs and Startups
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