Gwangyang City Selected for 'Steel·Metal Artificial Intelligence Transformation Demonstration Center Establishment Project'

Linked to Preemptive Industrial Crisis Response...
AI-Based Support for Steel Industry
22.1 Billion Won to Be Invested by 2030

Gwangyang City, South Jeolla Province, announced that it has been finally selected for the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's public contest project, the "Steel·Metal Artificial Intelligence Transformation (AX) Demonstration Center Establishment Project."

This project is being promoted as one of the industrial crisis response-linked projects following Gwangyang City's designation as a preemptive industrial crisis response area last year. It aims to drive AI-based manufacturing innovation and secure future competitiveness for the steel and metal industries.

Overview Diagram of the Steel and Metal Artificial Intelligence Transformation AX Demonstration Center Project. Provided by Gwangyang City

The project will be led by the Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL), with joint participation from Jeollanam-do, Gwangyang City, Jeonnam Technopark, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, Korea Iron & Steel Association, and Korea Advanced Manufacturing Research Institute.

The plan is to invest a total project cost of 22.1 billion won (14 billion won from the national government, 1.8 billion won from the province, 4.2 billion won from the city, and 2.1 billion won in private in-kind contributions) from 2026 to 2030.

Gwangyang City will match local funds and establish the AX Demonstration Center at the KTL Gwangyang branch, building an AX demonstration base for the steel·metal manufacturing and processing industry and providing support to local companies.

Main project activities include developing AI solutions based on demonstration data, AX demonstration and on-site technical support, building on-premises AI infrastructure, supporting company-specific AX transformation, and nurturing AI professionals.

Recently, the steel industry has been facing difficulties due to factors such as global oversupply, strengthened protectionism, and expanded carbon regulations. Small and medium-sized enterprises are encountering limitations in transitioning to AI due to a lack of manpower, costs, and technology.

Through this project, Gwangyang City plans to support enhanced manufacturing competitiveness for local steel and metal companies by improving productivity, advancing quality, and reducing energy consumption.

A Gwangyang City official stated, "Being selected for this project will serve as an opportunity to lay the foundation for manufacturing innovation in the local steel industry," adding, "We will actively support AI-based manufacturing innovation and the transition to carbon neutrality for local companies, with the AX Demonstration Center at the core."

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