Chungnam Establishes Region-Led Ecosystem for Industrial AI Transformation Policy

First Forum of the Industrial AI Transformation Alliance Held
Support Initiatives Shared, Including AX Demonstration and Smart Factories

Chungnam Province has entered the implementation phase of making industrial artificial intelligence (AI) transformation a core regional industrial policy.

The province is establishing a collaborative system that reflects corporate demand in policy, and is actively promoting the transition to an AI-based industrial structure and the creation of a region-led innovation ecosystem.

On January 22, the province held the first forum of the year at the Chungnam Technopark Display Innovation Process Center, hosted by the Chungnam Industrial AI Transformation Alliance.

The Chungnam Industrial AI Transformation Alliance is a consultative body formed around the province and Chungnam Technopark to establish a cooperative network among industry, academia, research institutes, and government in the field of artificial intelligence.

It was launched in November last year alongside the 'Chungnam AI Grand Transformation Declaration,' and at the time, laid the groundwork for cooperation through networking events connecting AI technology demand and supply companies.

More than 80 organizations participated in the forum, including representatives from the province, Chungnam Technopark, companies, universities, research institutes, and public institutions.

The event began with presentations of best practices by companies that have adopted AI, followed by guidance on relevant support programs, a Q&A session, and breakout group meetings.

During the forum, participants shared the direction and participation methods for major support projects aimed at building an industrial AI transformation ecosystem, including the AI Factory, smart factories specializing in manufacturing AI, AI transformation (AX) demonstration industrial complexes, and region-led AI grand transformation initiatives.

In particular, discussions focused on real-world AI application cases in industry, the achievements and limitations encountered during implementation, and policy challenges that need to be addressed.

In the breakout meetings, participants reviewed cases of AI transformation in industrial settings and held in-depth discussions on technological cooperation and business linkage between companies and institutions.

The province plans to actively incorporate the AI transformation needs of companies identified through this process into future policies and support programs.

Going forward, the province will hold regular meetings at least once a month to continue operating the alliance and systematically strengthen communication and cooperation for industrial AI transformation.

Currently, more than 80 organizations are participating in the alliance, including the province, Chungnam Technopark, local universities, research institutes, and companies involved in AI technology demand and supply.

The province plans to recruit additional participating organizations through a notice on the Chungnam Technopark website until the end of February, aiming to expand the number of participating organizations to 200 this year.

An Ho, Director of the Industrial Economy Bureau of the province, stated, "For an industrial AI grand transformation, it is essential to establish not only connections between demand and supply companies but also a technological cooperation system with universities and research institutes. We will continue to expand the composition and operation of the alliance to create a Chungnam-style AI transformation ecosystem."