"Regional Specialized AI Expansion" Chungbuk AI Convergence 'Demonstration Lab' Opens... 13 Billion KRW Support by 2022

[Asia Economy Reporter Seolgina Jo] The Ministry of Science and ICT and Chungcheongbuk-do have officially launched support for AI convergence regional specialized industries that combine Chungbuk's specialized industries with artificial intelligence (AI).

On the 24th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that it held the 'AI Convergence Regional Specialized Industry Support Demonstration Lab Opening and Kick-off Meeting' at the Chungbuk Institute of Science and Technology Innovation located in Cheongju, Chungbuk.

This is one of the AI convergence projects (AI+X), a representative task of the Digital New Deal, aimed at supporting innovation in regional industries by utilizing AI in production processes. A total of 13 billion KRW will be supported until 2022.

Following the selection of target regions last year, the Ministry identified 30 detailed tasks reflecting the demands of 12 local companies in the regional specialized industries of biohealth and smart ICT components. In April, two consortia responsible for AI solution development were selected, and with the opening of this demonstration lab, AI solutions to be introduced on-site at local companies will be actively developed.

Through this, productivity is expected to improve by more than 3% by enhancing equipment management efficiency, product quality, and reducing manufacturing costs, thereby contributing to increased sales, job creation, and revitalization of the regional economy.

The demonstration lab, opened on this day with a total area of 261㎡, is expected to become a model case of AI convergence with regional industries by providing facilities and equipment to process and learn various data provided by local companies in Chungbuk's specialized industry sectors and develop AI solutions.

To ensure that data held by demand companies can be safely processed and utilized, the Ministry emphasized that various security systems such as physical security facilities, communication networks, and access rights settings and management have been thoroughly designed and implemented.

Cho Kyung-sik, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "AI will be a key driver accelerating the digital transformation of regional specialized industries, which have been further challenged by the recent COVID-19 pandemic," and added, "We will strategically expand AI convergence not only in Chungcheongbuk-do but also in various leading industries in other regions."

Lee Si-jong, Governor of Chungcheongbuk-do, said, "It is expected to innovate Chungbuk's specialized industries and revitalize the regional economy through the convergence of AI, a core technology of the 4th Industrial Revolution, and data from Chungbuk companies," and pledged active cooperation at the local government level.

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