200 AI Voucher Support Projects Selected This Year...560 Billion KRW Scale

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on the 21st that it will launch the '2021 AI Voucher' support project to assist small, venture, and medium-sized enterprises aiming to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) technology in utilizing AI solutions or services.

This year, the project will be actively promoted with a budget of 56 billion KRW, targeting the selection of 200 tasks.

The Ministry of Science and ICT stated, "Despite being the first project last year, it achieved 1,972 new hires and investment results of 39.1 billion KRW, while numerous successful cases of on-site innovation such as quality improvement, productivity enhancement, and cost reduction through AI utilization by demand companies were discovered," adding, "this year, the support scope will be expanded to include medium-sized enterprises possessing high-quality data."

The selection of demand companies using the vouchers will be conducted through a public contest (January 22 to March 2), and selected companies will receive vouchers worth up to 300 million KRW.

Additionally, small and venture companies capable of providing AI solutions or services will be recruited until the 19th of next month. Demand companies requiring AI solutions will select and utilize suppliers from the supplier pool to purchase and apply customized AI solutions for their companies.

Song Kyung-hee, Director of AI-based Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "Through the AI Voucher, we expect to supply optimal technology to companies needing AI adoption to enhance their competitiveness, and for small and venture companies possessing AI technology, it will be an opportunity to create new markets."

For more details, please visit the National IT Industry Promotion Agency website (www.nipa.kr).

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