Gwangju Artificial Intelligence Academy Opens... Full-Scale Training of Practical Talent Begins

Mayor Lee Yong-seop: "Expecting AI to Become the Driving Force Leading South Korea as a Top 4 AI Power"

On the morning of the 2nd, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, attended the opening ceremony of the Gwangju Artificial Intelligence Academy held at the Gwangju Science and Technology Promotion Institute in Buk-gu, and took a commemorative photo with guests including Kim Dong-chan, Chairman of the City Council, Moon In, Mayor of Buk-gu, and Lee Doo-hee, CEO of Meotjaeng-i Sajacheoreom. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City is opening the Gwangju Artificial Intelligence Academy and is set to actively cultivate AI practical talents.

On the 2nd, Gwangju City announced that it held the opening ceremony of the Gwangju Artificial Intelligence Academy at the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology Promotion Center, attended by Mayor Lee Yong-seop, City Council Chairman Kim Dong-chan, Buk-gu District Mayor Moon In, Director Tak Yong-seok of the Gwangju Information and Culture Industry Promotion Agency, Director Ahn Ki-seok of the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology Promotion Center, Director Kim Seon-min of Gwangju Technopark, and Lee Doo-hee, CEO of Meotjaeng-i Sajalecheoreom.

Originally, the opening ceremony was scheduled to include all trainees and an orientation, but due to the social distancing level being raised to Level 2 the day before, trainees did not participate, and the event was simplified to a plaque unveiling and principal appointment ceremony. The trainees’ orientation was conducted online in advance the day before.

Also, since the city education office decided on the 1st to conduct remote classes for all school levels on the 2nd and 3rd, the Artificial Intelligence Academy will follow this policy and conduct classes online, responding appropriately to the COVID-19 situation.

The Artificial Intelligence Academy is equipped with an online learning management system (LMS) necessary for switching to online education in anticipation of strengthened social distancing due to the local spread of COVID-19.

The education is organized by Meotjaeng-i Sajalecheoreom (CEO Lee Doo-hee).

Trainees receive 8 hours of education daily and must complete 800 hours by November.

Before the selection exam, all applicants completed a basic course over four weeks starting May 21 through the online education platform (CodeLion) developed by Meotjaeng-i Sajalecheoreom.

After the regular classes, trainees are also provided with opportunities for self-directed learning using ‘ELICE,’ an online education platform co-developed by PhD candidates from KAIST’s AI research lab.

ELICE is used by over 50 major corporations and universities, including SK Group, LG Group, Seoul National University, and KAIST, for digital transformation and data science education.

By next month, trainees will complete 320 hours of intermediate and advanced courses covering AI algorithms, machine learning, deep learning, big data analysis, and cloud computing services. From September to November, they will engage in 480 hours of AI convergence project practice focused on specialized industries and public sectors such as automotive, energy, healthcare, and cultural content.

Experts including AI company representatives, professors, and researchers will participate as mentors in the project practice, providing trainees with hands-on learning opportunities.

Mayor Lee Yong-seop said, “Despite the difficulties of COVID-19, Gwangju’s AI development projects such as the confirmation of the AI cluster development plan, designation as an economic free zone, and the groundbreaking of the AI Big Data Center in the second half of the year have not stopped for a moment. I hope the Artificial Intelligence Academy will develop into the best AI talent training hub in Korea and become a driving force leading ‘Gwangju as an AI-centered city’ and ‘Korea as a top 4 AI powerhouse.’”

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