Strengthening Competitiveness Toward AI Leading City... Pohang AI Innovation Committee Held

Pohang City, in response to the government's national AI strategy, held the first meeting of the ‘Pohang AI Innovation Committee’ on the 4th as the first step in preparing for the next 100 years by focusing on fostering the artificial intelligence industry as a new growth engine for Pohang.

Pohang City held the first meeting of the "Pohang AI Innovation Committee" on the 4th in the city hall's medium conference room. Photo by Pohang City

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The Pohang AI Innovation Committee is a public-private-academic-research cooperation network composed of 26 top experts in the AI field, including Mayor Lee Kang-deok, representatives from Google, Amazon, Naver, POSCO Future Technology Research Institute, KT, POSTECH, Handong Global University, KAIST, Seoul National University, Korea University, and local R&D institutions.

At this meeting, the main topics discussed included ▲ strategies to attract the National AI Computing Center ▲ establishment of a public-private-academic-research cooperation model for the AI Accelerator Center ▲ construction of an integrated data platform based on ultra-high-performance computing ▲ fostering global leading companies in regional digital innovation ▲ enactment of AI support ordinances in Pohang City ▲ plans to create AI loans and AI funds for a business-friendly investment environment ▲ and measures to promote AI-driven transformation (AX) across all industries.

Participants agreed that Pohang is the only city in Korea equipped with advanced research facilities such as the 4th generation synchrotron radiation accelerator, providing an environment capable of large-scale data processing and analysis essential for AI technology development, and that Pohang is the optimal location for the National AI Computing Center, which the city is committed to promoting.

Furthermore, Pohang City possesses over 3,000 master's and doctoral-level researchers centered around POSTECH and Handong Global University. Research institutes such as the Semiconductor Technology Convergence Center within POSTECH are leading AI-based new material development and ultra-low power computing technology research. These capabilities are expected to serve as a foundation for competitiveness not only domestically but also in the global AI market when attracting the AI Computing Center.

Additionally, attendees advised that swift responses in establishing AI computing infrastructure within the Pohang region are crucial to securing the National AI Computing Center, which will lead the future AI era. The city explained plans to accelerate the development of AI computing infrastructure, including an ultra-high-performance AI computing research data integrated platform and a global data center campus linked to Yukyangguk.

Pohang City also views AI talent cultivation as the most important factor in the rapid AI-driven transformation. The city plans to intensify talent development through various projects such as supporting the POSTECH Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence, which trains about 60 master's and doctoral-level AI specialists annually, and fostering specialized personnel in industrial AI manufacturing innovation.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok stated, “This meeting was an opportunity to discuss regional AI development strategies and seek a sustainable development model to prepare for the next 100 years. We will leverage Pohang’s potential and unite the efforts of the public, private, industry, academia, and research sectors to attract the National AI Computing Center to Pohang.”

Based on the opinions from this meeting, Pohang City plans to devote all efforts to building the foundation for creating an AI ecosystem and to strengthen AI competitiveness through continuous sharing with local governments, companies, universities, and research institutions, leading the future AI era.

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