Gwangju City Holds 'AI Innovation Hub' Policy Forum at National Assembly

Co-hosted by Assemblyman Cho Incheol: "AI Infrastructure Concentrated in Gwangju"
Gwangju, the Optimal Location for the National AI Computing Center... Maximizing Synergy

On the afternoon of the 20th, Gwangju Mayor Kang Gijeong attended the policy forum titled "Securing Global Competitiveness for AI Innovation Hubs" held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Seoul, and took a commemorative photo with guests including Jo Incheol, co-host of the forum, Choi Minhee, Chair of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee, and members of the National Assembly Jung Jinwook, Yang Bunam, Jeon Jinsuk, and Min Hyeongbae. Provided by Gwangju City

As the government has announced concentrated investments in artificial intelligence (AI) projects, including the early opening of the National AI Computing Center, Gwangju is rapidly emerging as the optimal destination for government AI investment.

To realize its vision as a leading AI city, Gwangju has made every effort in building infrastructure, nurturing talent, and attracting companies. As a result, it has established a robust foundation for industry-academia-research collaboration, including unique infrastructure such as the only National AI Data Center in Korea, as well as abundant talent and businesses.

On top of this, the local government has built a comprehensive support system, including strong commitment and real-world demonstration capabilities. Especially, as speed becomes crucial in the global race for AI supremacy and in achieving the government's goal of becoming one of the top three AI powerhouses, Gwangju?with its well-balanced combination of infrastructure, talent, and companies?is considered the optimal destination for maximizing AI investment synergy.

On the 20th, Gwangju held a policy forum at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building under the theme “Securing Global Competitiveness as an AI Innovation Hub in the Multimodal AI Era.” The forum was co-hosted by Gwangju City and Assemblyman Cho Incheol, and organized by the Artificial Intelligence Industry Convergence Project Group.

Over 100 people attended the forum, including Mayor Kang Gi-jung, Assemblyman Cho Incheol, Choi Minhee, Chairperson of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee, and committee secretary Kim Hyun, as well as Assembly members Lee Hoonki, Jung Jinwook, Yang Bunam, Jeon Jinsook, Min Hyungbae, Kim Kyungman, Director of AI Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, AI experts, and business leaders.

Assemblyman Cho Incheol stated, “If the Gwangju National AI Data Center is further strengthened, it will add momentum to Korea’s rise as an AI powerhouse and realize the value of balanced national development. As the National Assembly established a new law last year focused on building an AI foundation, we will continue to provide robust legal and institutional support at the parliamentary level to help the private sector build independent AI platforms and secure global competitiveness.”

Mayor Kang Gi-jung emphasized, “Gwangju is a city fully prepared and ready to take immediate action to seize global AI leadership. We have completed the first phase of our project, focusing on infrastructure, talent, and companies, and are now preparing to move on to the second phase, the AX Demonstration Valley, and the era of large-scale AI. The AI industry in Gwangju is not just a local task but a national project that will open new growth opportunities for Korea.”

He continued, “The only way for Korea to survive in the global AI race is through speed and concentration. Gwangju operates the National AI Data Center, which possesses half of the domestic H100s, and has a comprehensive ladder for nurturing AI talent. Therefore, Gwangju is the optimal location for establishing the National AI Computing Center.”

He also stressed, “The exemption from preliminary feasibility studies and the rapid implementation of a super supplementary budget for the second phase of the AI project are urgently needed. Gwangju will do its utmost with a strong sense of national responsibility,” while calling for full support from the National Assembly, the government, and industry.

The forum began with a keynote presentation by Bae Kyunghoon, Director of LG AI Research Institute, on “Securing AI Sovereignty and Cooperative Strategies for Gwangju as an Innovation Hub, including Infrastructure.” Director Bae stated, “For AI to be successfully utilized in the media content industry, it is essential to develop customized foundation models that reflect cultural characteristics. This requires a harmonious combination of data, infrastructure, and technology. Gwangju’s first-phase AI project will serve as an important stepping stone toward achieving these goals.”

Yoon Seokjoo, Chief Brand Officer (CBO) of Persona AI, gave a case presentation on “Developing Korean-style AI Technology through Gwangju’s AI Infrastructure Support.” CBO Yoon explained, “The AI Data Center is like rain in a drought for companies, providing opportunities to overcome regional limitations through meaningful demonstration projects, secure references through connections with large corporations, and improve the skills of local talent, all of which drive continuous corporate growth. In the race for AI technology, speed is the key, and Gwangju’s virtuous cycle of regional AI job creation has greatly contributed to increased R&D and corporate sales.”

In the subsequent discussion, Oh Sangjin, Head of the Artificial Intelligence Industry Convergence Project Group, served as moderator, with panelists including Bae Kyunghoon, Director of LG AI Research Institute; Yoon Seokjoo, CBO of Persona AI; Kim Hyuncheol, Director of Future Growth at MBC; Gong Deukjo, Vice Dean of the GIST AI Policy and Strategy Graduate School; and Kim Kyungman, Director of AI-Based Policy. They discussed securing AI sovereignty, developing large-scale models, developing application services, securing high-quality data, and strategies and responses for the corporate, academic, and public sectors.

During the discussion, Gong Deukjo, Vice Dean of the GIST AI Policy and Strategy Graduate School, emphasized, “The current situation presents a new opportunity for both Korea and Gwangju. Over the past five years, Gwangju has laid the infrastructure, nurtured talent, and attracted companies in preparation for the AI industry. Nowhere else in Korea is as prepared as Gwangju, and the city is fully justified in seizing this opportunity.”

Meanwhile, through the first phase of the AI Cluster project, Gwangju opened the National AI Data Center in 2023 and established 77 types of demonstration equipment, including driving simulators, creating a world-class AI industrial environment. The city is also laying the foundation for Korea’s top AI industry by establishing a comprehensive ladder for nurturing talent, including the planned opening of the AI Gifted High School in 2027.

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