The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 11th that it will train 10,000 artificial intelligence (AI) talents annually. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon explained this at the "AI Seoul 2025 Event" held in COEX in Gangnam, Seoul. The aim is to create an AI ecosystem through seven strategies: talent cultivation, infrastructure development, investment expansion, industry convergence, globalization, citizen diffusion, and administrative innovation.
The city plans to nurture AI talents through the Youth Employment Academy (4,000 people) and universities (6,000 people) each year. A total of 600 million won will be awarded as scholarships to 60 master's degree students in science and engineering fields, including AI. Additionally, an AI Tech City will be established in Yangjae-dong to attract research institutes and startup facilities. The existing AI hub (startup incubation institution) will be expanded tenfold from its current area of 27,000 square meters.
The city plans to establish an AI fund amounting to 500 billion won by next year and provide graphics processing units (GPUs) and other resources. It aims to converge the AI, bio, robotics, and fintech (financial technology) industries. The plan is to collaborate with overseas corporations and universities such as Microsoft, Google, and the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi.
The city will host Smart Life Week (SLW) in October, where citizens can experience AI technology. The public data held by the city will be made available for citizens to use on the AI data platform. AI technology will also be applied in administration. Mayor Oh stated, "We will prepare to ensure the influx of AI talents so that corporations can invest."