Discussion on Follow-up Strategies for the National AI Center
Budget Negotiations Underway with the Government and Ruling Party
NPU Computing Center and Autonomous Driving Demonstrations
Gwangju City Also Working to Detail Alternative Projects
Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, announced that he will provide citizens with a detailed report on alternative projects following the city’s unsuccessful bid to attract the National AI Computing Center, stating, "We will report specifics to the public in December." Gwangju City is continuing budget negotiations with the government and the ruling party, focusing on follow-up strategies such as the NPU Computing Center and the AI Mobility New Town.
Kang Gijeong, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, delivered the keynote speech on "South Korea's Top 3 AI Powerhouses: Gwangju as an AI Demonstration City" at the 10th Seoul Future Conference held at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on the morning of the 5th. Provided by Gwangju City
According to Gwangju City on November 23, Mayor Kang made this statement through a text message introducing the contents of a citizen policy participation group meeting, emphasizing, "We are making every effort to secure national funding for Gwangju as a leading AI city." Mayor Kang highlighted key projects currently under discussion with the government and the ruling party, including securing budgets for the NPU (Neural Processing Unit) Computing Center and the AI Mobility New Town.
After failing to attract the National AI Computing Center, Gwangju City has proposed follow-up initiatives to the government based on its "AI Mega Sandbox" strategy, such as attracting an NPU-based computing center and establishing a regulatory-free AI demonstration city. Since Mayor Kang has stated his intention to "secure the budget," there is an interpretation that discussions with the government have reached a certain level of progress.
Related discussions were also shared at the 4th breakfast meeting of the Gwangju City Council’s AI Special Committee held on November 21.
Kim Youngchang, Head of the Future Vehicle Industry Team at Gwangju’s Artificial Intelligence Industry Office, introduced a long-term plan worth a total of 2.5 trillion won to expand the entire city into a mobility demonstration city, stating, "Although it is a long-term project, in the short term, we are considering starting with a demonstration of autonomous taxis utilizing regulatory exemptions."
A city official commented, "Negotiations are underway with government ministries and the ruling party regarding the alternative AI projects," adding, "Since nothing has been finalized yet, it is difficult to disclose details, but we will explain them to citizens in the future."
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