Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA) created a dedicated unit, the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Promotion Team, to support small and midsize businesses' AI transition (AX).
TIPA said on the 2nd that, in step with the government's AI great transition policy, it carried out a reorganization that integrates and strengthens the functions of the existing Smart Manufacturing Innovation Promotion Team and will fully activate its AX support system.
The centerpiece of this reorganization is an expansion of AI-centered functions. The Artificial Intelligence Innovation Promotion Team has built an all-around support system that goes beyond the previous focus on spreading smart factories to cover everything from AI-based research and development (R&D) to commercialization. Through this, it plans to spur manufacturing innovation and AI utilization by small and midsize businesses and expand practical support programs that can be felt in the field.
The existing Smart Manufacturing Innovation Promotion Team was operated at the scale of one headquarters and one center. The newly established Artificial Intelligence Innovation Promotion Team will operate under a professionalism-centered "two headquarters, one center" structure. The plan is to integrate AI technology development and AX-related functions that had been dispersed within TIPA and concentrate capacity for policy implementation.
Specifically, the Smart Manufacturing Innovation Headquarters will handle policy planning and project performance management, and the AX Innovation Headquarters will be responsible for AI diffusion policy, data strategy, and administrative AX innovation. The AX Support Center will carry out field-centered programs such as commercialization of AI application products and support for technology development. The head of the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Promotion Team will serve as the chief artificial intelligence officer (CAIO), overseeing AI and manufacturing innovation policy.
Director General Ahn Gwang-hyeon of the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Promotion Team said, "If smart manufacturing innovation has so far focused on process digitalization, now is the time to press ahead with AX through analysis and optimization by AI," adding, "We will spare no comprehensive support so that AI permeates small and midsize business sites and leads to tangible productivity innovation."
TIPA President Kim Young-shin said, "This reorganization will provide a foundation for small and midsize businesses to respond proactively in the AX era," adding, "TIPA will strengthen its role as a reliable supporter of innovation-driven growth."