"In The AI Era, Gwangju and Jeonnam Must Transform Into Regions That Create Companies"

Gwangju-Jeonnam Future Vision Holds Regular General Meeting and Special Lecture on the 26th
Chairman Ko Youngha Proposes Renewable Energy and AI Industrial Cluster

Gwangju-Jeonnam Future Vision, a private think tank in the Gwangju-Jeonnam region, held its "2026 Regular General Meeting and Special Lecture" at Prima Art Hall in Cheomdan 2 District, Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the 26th, where participants discussed regional development strategies for the AI era and startup-centered growth directions.

Gwangju-Jeonnam Future Vision is a private policy network that has been addressing structural regional crises such as low birth rates, an aging population, and population outflow, as well as ways to foster advanced future industries. At the event, a regular general meeting was held to share past activities and review future business directions, along with a special lecture on regional strategies for the AI era.

Ko Youngha, chairman of Ko Venture Forum, is presenting on the theme "Making Gwangju a Good City to Start a Business" at the Gwangju-Jeonnam Future Vision special lecture held on the afternoon of the 26th at Prima Art Hall in Cheomdan 2 District, Buk-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Song Bohyun

In the special lecture, Ko Youngha, chairman of GoVenture Forum and former chairman of the Korea Business Angels Association, defined the extinction of local regions as an issue of "people" and stressed the need to create an environment where young people can stay and take on challenges. He pointed out that traditional policies focused on "attracting companies" have reached their limits, and stated that it is necessary to shift toward a structure in which companies are founded and grow in the region before expanding into global markets.

He also presented the AI industrial transition period as a strategic opportunity for Gwangju and Jeonnam, and, based on research infrastructure such as Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Chonnam National University, and Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), along with Jeonnam's renewable energy potential, he emphasized the need to build an AI-energy-data industrial cluster. He explained that an industrial ecosystem combining data center power demand with renewable energy could become a source of regional competitiveness.

Ko Youngha, chairman of Ko Venture Forum, is presenting on the topic "Making Gwangju a City Good for Startups" at a special lecture for the Gwangju-Jeonnam Future Vision held at Prima Art Hall in Cheomdan 2 District, Buk-gu, Gwangju, on the afternoon of the 26th. Photo by Song Bohyun

In addition, he highlighted as key tasks: shifting education toward problem-solving and entrepreneurship; building a regional angel investment network; expanding private-led growth capital; fostering a startup ecosystem; and driving industrial innovation based on local creators.

At the subsequent regular general meeting, reports were delivered on the 2025 projects and finances, new executives were elected, and the 2026 business plan and budget bill were reviewed. The event was sponsored by MSL Co., Ltd. and NH Networks Co., Ltd.