"Changwon as an Innovative Future City" ... Changwon Special City Integrates AI into Daily Life, Industry, and Administration

Changwon City Leads Digital and AI Transformation Across City Administration
Under Leadership with Science and Engineering Background

Since the emergence of AlphaGo in 2016, followed by AlphaFold in 2018 and ChatGPT in 2024, the acceleration of technology and social change based on AI in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has been remarkable.

Global corporations are already striving to secure AI technological supremacy, staying one step ahead of the pace of change with engineering-driven thinking. In particular, companies led by engineering executives such as Nvidia, Samsung Electronics, Apple, and Tesla are spearheading innovation in the midst of competition, leveraging their high level of technical understanding, strategic thinking, and long-term vision.

Hong Nampyo, Changwon Special Mayor.

Changwon Special City is also preparing for urban innovation in line with the Fourth Industrial Revolution by integrating digital and AI technologies across all aspects of city administration, from daily life to industry and public administration, under the leadership of a mayor with a science and engineering background since the city's unification.

Hong Nam-pyo, Mayor of Changwon, emphasized, "How quickly and effectively advanced technologies such as AI are established in citizens' daily lives, industrial sites, and public administration will play a major role in determining the sustainable growth of the city and the quality of life for its citizens," adding, "We plan to systematically establish policy foundations for the gradual adoption and expansion of AI."

◆ AI Integration in Citizens' Daily Lives

First, the city is working to mainstream AI technology in everyday life, focusing on three areas?safety, welfare, and public transportation?so that all citizens can easily access and experience AI.

In the field of safety, the following systems are being introduced: △A digital twin-based smart urban flood response system △AI-based intelligent CCTV △Intelligent safety and quality management system for construction sites.

The 'Digital Twin-Based Smart Urban Flood Response System' is a project designed to protect citizens' property and lives through intelligent prediction and real-time monitoring of flood-prone areas. The city was selected for a project promoted by the Ministry of Science and ICT in 2023, investing a total of 7.2 billion won to complete the first phase in February last year.

To protect vulnerable groups and enhance safety in crime-prone areas, 2,660 intelligent CCTVs are currently in operation. The AI-based smart monitoring system automatically transmits footage to monitoring personnel upon detecting abnormal signals such as violence, loitering, or arson.

An 'Intelligent Safety and Quality Management System for Construction Sites' will also be introduced to strengthen safety at construction sites and prevent accidents. AI will detect risk factors such as workers collapsing, not wearing safety helmets, or collapse risks, and automatically notify relevant personnel, enabling proactive, real-time safety management at construction sites.

In the welfare sector, the city is preparing △Smart Senior Centers △ICT-linked integrated AI care services △AI sign language interpreter services.

First, a total of 2.8 billion won will be invested over three years to establish 250 smart senior centers by 2027. These centers will provide seniors with non-face-to-face leisure and welfare programs using video conferencing systems, and support health management through basic health measurements such as blood pressure, blood sugar, weight, and body temperature.

For vulnerable groups, the 'Integrated Care Service Project Combining ICT and AI' provides services such as emergency response (detecting fire, heartbeat, breathing, etc.), safety management (detecting wandering during sleep hours), and emotional support (offering companionship, news, and weather via speakers).

Additionally, the 'AI Sign Language Interpreter Happo-On', the nation's first pilot program, will be launched in May, placing AI sign language interpreters at one location each in Masanhappo District Office and the Administrative Welfare Center to enhance convenience for people with disabilities.

In the field of public transportation, the city is promoting △Improvements to bus services based on digital technology △The Future Transfer Center Project.

This year, a 'Digital Route Traffic Information System' will be piloted on 76 city buses, which is 10% of the entire fleet. This system will display real-time route information, transfer information at arrival stops, road congestion, and bus operation details to provide convenience to users.

Furthermore, the city plans to invest a total of 53.3 billion won to complete the 'Masan Station Future Transfer Center' by 2028, aiming for seamless mobility connections in line with the commercialization of new mobility solutions.

(Industrial AI Convergence) Conceptual Diagram of the Digital Transformation Support Center for Mechanical Defense Manufacturing.

◆ AI Convergence in Industry

AI technology is also being introduced and adopted in industrial sites to increase efficiency and productivity.

First, the city is promoting a digital and AI (DX, AX) transformation of the Changwon National Industrial Complex to innovate it into the world's top AI autonomous manufacturing complex.

To this end, through the 'Establishment of a Digital Transformation Support Center for Machinery and Defense Manufacturing', the city is pushing for manufacturing innovation in the Changwon National Industrial Complex. By 2026, a total of 28.1 billion won will be invested to establish the support center, support digital transformation models, and create a digital transformation campus for training professionals in stages.

In addition, the city is promoting a 'Development and Demonstration of Ultra-large Manufacturing AI Services Specialized for the Manufacturing Industry' project to foster the ultra-large manufacturing AI industry. By 2026, a total of 22.7 billion won will be invested to develop core foundational technologies for ultra-large manufacturing AI and apply them to manufacturing companies in the Changwon area.

At the same time, the 'Global Manufacturing Convergence Software Development and Demonstration Project', with a budget of 49.3 billion won over five years, targets companies in the root industries of the Changwon National Industrial Complex, such as metals, manufacturing, and processing.

The city is also working to establish an 'AI Autonomous Manufacturing Dedicated Support Center' that will combine AI-based robots and equipment with manufacturing processes to achieve advanced and autonomous production. Focusing on the five main sectors of the Changwon National Industrial Complex?machinery, aerospace, defense, automotive, and future mobility?the strategy is to secure manufacturing competitiveness by combining core technologies and robotics based on the principles of intelligence, human-centricity, and sustainability.

In addition, the city is promoting △the establishment of a specialized drone manufacturing localization complex △the establishment of a research and manufacturing center for advanced medical and bio devices, which are aggregates of cutting-edge technologies.

◆ AI Embedded in Administration

To improve the quality of administrative services and reduce processing times, AI is also being embedded in the administrative sector. Key initiatives include △the establishment of a dedicated AI team △the introduction of an AI office assistant △an automated work system.

In January of this year, Changwon City established an 'AI Innovation Team' within the Digital Policy Office to discover and implement AI projects for administrative innovation and citywide integration. This system is designed to handle related tasks professionally and systematically.

Additionally, a pilot introduction of an 'AI-powered office assistant' is planned for the first half of this year, directly integrating AI into administration to enhance the quality of administrative services and improve work efficiency.

Hong Nam-pyo, Mayor of Changwon, stated, "In the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, not only in the corporate sector but also in administration, it is necessary to respond quickly to the pace of technological change," adding, "We will prepare to become an innovative future city by effectively integrating advanced technologies such as AI and digital solutions into industrial sites, daily life, and public administration."

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