Finding Future Technologies for SMEs with the People... Online Open Discussion Forum Established

Ministry of SMEs and Startups Reflects Public Demand in SME Technology Roadmap
Targets Three Areas: 'Disaster Safety,' 'Environment,' and 'Public Health'
Provides Funding Support Through Next Year's Technology Development Projects

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The Ministry of SMEs and Startups will conduct an 'Online Open Discussion' from the 24th of this month to the 1st of next month to reflect the public's interest and demand for technology in the 'SME Technology Roadmap.'

The SME Technology Roadmap is established annually by investigating and analyzing market and technology trends, as well as the latest technology development trends, to present future promising items, technologies, and investment directions for SMEs. The items presented in the roadmap are linked to support through the Ministry's technology development support projects.

Since last year, to enhance public interest in future technologies and reflect actual demand, the roadmap establishment process, which previously involved only businesspeople and experts, has been expanded to include an online open discussion forum focusing on fields with high public interest.

Last year, an online open discussion was held in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). As a result, a total of 625 people participated and submitted 7,370 opinions, leading to the identification of promising items such as AI-based educational services. These items received a total of 7.9 billion KRW in support through the Ministry's technology development support projects in 2021.

This year, reflecting trends such as the COVID-19 pandemic and carbon neutrality, the online discussion will be expanded to three fields directly related to daily life and of high public interest: 'Disaster Safety,' 'Environment,' and 'Public Health,' covering 10 topics.

Promising items selected through this process will receive linked funding support for technology development through the Ministry's 2022 technology development (R&D) projects.

The online open discussion will be conducted over two days per topic on the SME Technology Roadmap website, facilitated by experts in the relevant fields, and anyone interested can participate.

Opinions submitted during the online open discussion will be reviewed by experts to determine whether they will be reflected in the technology roadmap.

Won Young-jun, Director of Technology Innovation Policy at the Ministry, stated, "By considering public opinions from the stage of setting technology investment directions for SMEs, we expect to contribute significantly not only to improving the commercialization rate of SMEs but also to solving social issues closely related to the daily lives of the public."

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