Gwangju City and Ministry of SMEs Join Hands to Create AI Industry Ecosystem

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups have joined hands to create an artificial intelligence industrial ecosystem.

On the 10th, Gwangju City announced that it signed a 'Business Agreement for the Spread of Artificial Intelligence with SMEs' with the Ministry of SMEs and Startups at the Ramada Plaza Gwangju Hotel.

Through the agreement, both organizations agreed to collaborate on ▲ the dissemination and expansion of AI technology with SMEs ▲ development of AI models for smart factories and talent cultivation ▲ fostering AI startups tailored to SMEs ▲ support for the establishment of AI investment funds for SMEs ▲ and the spread of AI among SMEs.

Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups, said, "The spread of AI to small and medium ventures is an effective way to prepare for the major transition to a digital economy accelerated after COVID-19," adding, "Through mutual cooperation between the Ministry and Gwangju City, AI will become a driving industry in the Gwangju region."

Mayor Lee Yong-seop stated, "For Gwangju to leap forward as an AI-centered city, it is crucial that AI startup creation is activated and these startups grow into scale-up companies, making the role of SMEs very important," and added, "We will foster Gwangju into a world-class AI city through consolidation of capabilities and collaboration."

Earlier, Gwangju City held an 'AI Forum for Creating a Smart SME Industrial Ecosystem' to expand understanding and the base of the region's representative AI industry, share successful cases of AI convergence by industry, and strengthen regional industrial competitiveness.

At the forum, Minister Park Young-sun gave a lecture titled 'Smart Korea: The Great Transition to a Digital Economy' to about 130 attendees including representatives of SMEs in the Gwangju area and executives and staff of related organizations.

Minister Park said, "The technology leading to the digital economy has continuously evolved from PCs to smartphones and cloud computing, and now the AI era has arrived," adding, "The major transition to an AI-based digital economy will be led by SMEs and startups. The Ministry is preparing various policies such as manufacturing AI platforms, AI smart factory construction, and AI commercial district analysis for small and medium ventures and small business owners."

Following this, Minister Park and others visited local AI company SOS Lab and Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology to inspect their products and technology development status and listen to any difficulties they face.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.