The INNOBIZ Association said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korea Artificial Intelligence and Software Industry Association on the 18th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, to promote "the use of AI by small and medium-sized enterprises and the revitalization of the industrial ecosystem," and held a policy roundtable.
At the MOU signing and policy roundtable, Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Kim Dong-a and Lee Ju-hee, INNOBIZ Association President Jeong Gwang-cheon, Korea Artificial Intelligence and Software Industry Association President Cho Jun-hee, and representatives from member corporations of both organizations attended.
Through the agreement, the two organizations agreed to cooperate on ▲ promoting innovation among INNOBIZ corporations based on AI and software ▲ building a cooperative system for training and educating AI specialists ▲ expanding AI demonstrations and test beds ▲ jointly proposing policies to improve SME AI policy ▲ and strengthening domestic and overseas technology and industry networking.
At the policy roundtable, member companies of both organizations took part to discuss on-the-ground challenges and regulatory improvement tasks in introducing and spreading AI among small and medium-sized enterprises.
Attending corporations pointed out structural limitations that prevent AI- and data-based R&D outcomes from leading to demonstration, verification, and commercialization, and proposed creating an INNOBIZ corporations "technology commercialization and investment–loan-linked R&D program." They also said it is necessary to institutionalize budgets for proofs of concept (PoC) for successful AI transformation (AX) and to establish a practical policy package centered on innovative corporations with secured technology and markets.
They also raised the need to introduce an earned income tax credit for Ph.D.-level researchers to strengthen the AI competitiveness of regional small and medium-sized enterprises, to train "AI managers" who will lead AI transformation within corporations, and to prepare a one-stop corporate transformation support program that connects diagnosis through demonstration.
They also discussed the need to establish a system for fair task setting and contract adjustment in public AI and software projects, to set guidelines for the use of external large language models (LLMs) by the government and public institutions, and to overhaul budgeting and procurement systems to fit the AI era.
INNOBIZ Association President Jeong Gwang-cheon said, "AI is now expanding beyond software into physical AI combined with robots, equipment, and sensors, and this is a major opportunity for manufacturing-based INNOBIZ corporations to achieve productivity innovation and create high added value," adding, "The association will continue to serve as a bridge between the National Assembly and the government so that an AI utilization environment and institutional improvements that INNOBIZ corporations can feel are realized."
Meanwhile, the Korea Artificial Intelligence and Software Industry Association is an industry group established to strengthen the competitiveness of the domestic AI and software industry. It carries out policy proposals and support projects to promote technological cooperation among corporations and to build an industrial ecosystem. In particular, it supports the commercialization of AI-based technologies and their application in industrial settings, and focuses on expanding the foundations for industrial growth, including members' global expansion, regulatory improvements, and talent development.