The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) is accelerating its company-wide transformation by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) across all aspects of trade and investment.
On the 22nd, KOTRA held the 'KOTRA Artificial Intelligence Committee' meeting, where it announced the results of its AI utilization and support initiatives for this year, as well as its plans for next year. As the government aims to become one of the world's top three AI powerhouses and expand AI adoption in the public sector, KOTRA has been designated as a leading AI institution and has introduced AI throughout its trade and investment support systems.
In July, KOTRA launched its Artificial Intelligence Committee, chaired by the president, and simultaneously pursued AI-based trade support and internal work innovation. As a result, during 2025, the agency implemented 55 AI utilization and support projects, with 36 of them being concentrated in the second half of the year.
A notable example is the transformation of its trade support centers into AI-powered hubs. KOTRA expanded its 20 nationwide Digital Trade Support Centers into AI and digital export support infrastructures for local businesses and young people, offering AI-driven support ranging from product analysis and English content creation to buyer matching. The number of companies supported reached 8,000, a 33% increase compared to the previous year. KOTRA also expanded industry-academia cooperation by partnering with seven regional universities to foster AI trade talent and recognize academic credits.
At trade exhibitions and consultation events, KOTRA introduced an AI safety inspection solution. By analyzing photos and videos of the venues with AI to preemptively identify hazards, the time required for facility inspections was reduced from 90 minutes to 20 minutes. Internally, KOTRA operated its first Digital Transformation and Innovation Lab, where employees collaborated with AI startups to pilot AI interpretation and automated consultation log solutions in overseas exhibitions and consultation projects.
Starting next year, KOTRA plans to further elevate its use of AI. Based on the three major AI strategies and 40 action tasks established in September, the agency will simultaneously advance its trade and investment support systems, globalize the national AI ecosystem, and expand internal AI utilization.
First, KOTRA will expand its flagship AI service, the 'AI Export Assistant,' as part of the first phase of its rollout next year. After a pilot service at the end of this year, the agency plans to fully launch features that provide export-stage information and practical support to companies. In overseas marketing, KOTRA will host the AI Innovation Forum and the Korea AI Roadshow, and, in cooperation with relevant ministries, pursue efforts to attract top AI talent from key countries.
Internally, KOTRA will establish an integrated data repository to strengthen data connectivity within and outside the agency and set up a system for data sharing between organizations. The agency also plans to enhance the reliability of its AI utilization by obtaining AI management system certification.
Kang Kyungsung, President of KOTRA, stated, "Under the overarching goal of leading an AI-driven transformation in trade and investment, we will generate tangible results on the ground and rapidly spread them. We are committed to contributing to the achievement of the goal of becoming one of the world's top three AI powerhouses and reaching 1 trillion dollars in exports."
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