Gwangju City Transforms Citizens' Lives with Everyday AI Technology

Transformation into a Citywide AI Demonstration Hub: 3,300 Sites Opened
On-site Pilots for Skincare, Psychological Counseling, and Pedestrian Safety
"AI Solutions for Urban Challenges and Future Industry Development"

The open space on the first floor of the Gwangju City Hall has been newly transformed into a space where citizens can directly experience artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Provided by Gwangju City

Gwangju City is actively promoting demonstration projects for artificial intelligence (AI) technology that is deeply penetrating everyday life, thereby solidifying its position as an 'AI Demonstration City.' Innovative AI solutions aimed at improving citizens' quality of life and solving urban challenges are being piloted throughout Gwangju.

According to the city on October 20, 45 companies were selected for this year's 'Startup Product Demonstration Support Project,' and 4 companies for the 'AI Demonstration Project.' The city is currently conducting various on-site demonstrations with 22 companies.

With the goal of fostering future growth industries, the city has opened more than 3,300 public demonstration resources-including parks and public buildings-so that companies can freely test their technologies. The annual budget of 3.5 billion won serves as a foundation to further strengthen the brand value of 'AI Demonstration City Gwangju.'

Major demonstration projects are focused on areas directly related to citizens' daily lives, such as AI-based personalized skincare, psychological counseling using large language models (LLMs), AI sensor-based child pedestrian safety management, and AI safety management systems for bicycle paths.

In particular, the 'Open Space' on the first floor of City Hall has been transformed into a venue where citizens can directly experience AI technology. Here, Dr. K Healthcare, a startup based in the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) Startup Promotion Center, is showcasing an AI personalized skincare solution device. This device precisely analyzes individual skin conditions to provide optimal care recommendations and encourages data-driven, customized product development through recommendations of products from local cosmetics companies. In addition, Helpteacher's unmanned AI counseling room offers real-time emotion analysis and empathetic conversations using LLM-based multimodal emotion analysis technology, contributing to the improvement of citizens' mental health.

The city is also focusing on developing AI-based traffic safety systems to realize a 'Safe, Orderly, and Informative City.' H Intelligence's 'Driver and Pedestrian Safety System' uses AI detection sensors and LED panels in the school zone of Seorim Elementary School in Buk-gu to provide real-time risk alerts, ensuring safe routes for children. In collaboration with the Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, the city also plans to pilot an 'AI Safety Management System' on the bicycle path in Ssangam Park, Gwangsan-gu, which will predict the movements of pedestrians and cyclists and provide emergency alerts through LED lighting.

Son Dooyoung, Director General of Future Industries, stated, "The various AI projects that Gwangju has been pursuing are naturally taking root in citizens' daily lives. We will continue to create an environment where a wide range of technologies owned by companies can thrive in the lives of citizens through diverse demonstration projects."

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