Ulsan City Formalizes Bid for AI Computing Center... Launches 'U-NEXT AI Forum'

Published 30 Sep.2025 08:47(KST)

Launch of Joint Public-Private Partnership Body
Official Bid for National AI Computing Center Announced

On September 30 at 3:00 p.m., Ulsan City will hold the inauguration ceremony for the 'U-NEXT AI Forum' in the lobby on the first floor of the main building of Ulsan City Hall.

The event will be attended by Ulsan Mayor Kim Dookyum, City Council Chairman Lee Seongryong, local members of the National Assembly, and about 100 participants including representatives from businesses, universities, and research institutes.

The ceremony will proceed in the following order: a vision promotional video, a presentation of the AI Capital Roadmap, greetings from the co-chairs, and the official declaration of the forum's launch.

This forum serves as an official public-private partnership governance body encompassing industry, academia, research, and government. Following the declaration of the 'AI Capital Ulsan' vision in August, it marks the full-scale launch of an implementing entity.

It is particularly noteworthy that Ulsan has formalized its bid to host the National AI Computing Center and has laid the foundation for the creation of an AI convergence cluster specializing in manufacturing by linking industry, research, talent, and infrastructure.

The 'U-NEXT AI Forum' is a policy advisory and consultative body based on public-private cooperation among industry, academia, research, and government. It is a comprehensive public-private partnership governance organization that discusses current issues and seeks practical solutions for the development of the regional AI industry.

The forum will be operated under a system of seven co-chairs, including the mayor, city council chairman, and local members of the National Assembly. It will establish four subcommittees-technology innovation, industrial transformation, data-infrastructure, and talent development-to address sector-specific tasks.

The forum will be held at least once a year on a regular basis to provide advice and review policy directions and major projects. The co-chairs will serve as a focal point for gathering local voices and discussing implementation strategies throughout this process.

In addition, the forum will focus on key tasks such as AI demonstration and dissemination in manufacturing sites, strengthening AI capabilities of local companies, nurturing talent throughout the entire cycle, and linking the attraction of AI data centers and the National AI Computing Center.

Ulsan City plans to use this launch as an opportunity to advance as the AI capital of South Korea through a regional-level public-private partnership implementation body.

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Mayor Kim Dookyum stated, "Today's forum is not just a declaration, but a promise of action. We will focus on key tasks such as AI demonstration and dissemination in manufacturing sites, strengthening the AI capabilities of local companies, nurturing talent throughout the entire cycle, and linking the attraction of AI data centers and the National AI Computing Center. Ulsan possesses optimal conditions, including a stable power grid and a world-class manufacturing cluster. By combining these with private investment, we will create a foundation that researchers and companies can utilize, and grow into a key hub for South Korea's AI highway strategy."