An AI innovation alliance that will lead the artificial intelligence (AI) transition of the shipbuilding industry in the Busan area launched on the 18th.
Twelve institutions, including Busan City, the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute, the Small and Medium Shipbuilding Research Institute, the Korea Foundry Society, Pusan National University, and Korea Maritime and Ocean University, signed an AI innovation alliance memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the 18th and will carry out AI technology development and on-site demonstration, build an online communication community, and jointly identify government-supported projects.
The AI innovation alliance launching that day will focus on solving structural problems facing Busan's shipbuilding-related small and midsize companies, such as the aging of skilled workers, high defect rates, and a lack of digital infrastructure.
In particular, it plans to cooperate to boost productivity and quality competitiveness through AI-based process innovation and to create an industrial ecosystem based on public-private cooperation.
After launching the Artificial Intelligence Committee in Sep. last year, the city has visited shipbuilding and foundry company sites in the Gangseo-gu industrial complex to explore the introduction of AI-based manufacturing innovation measures.
Park Heong-joon, the Busan mayor, said, "We will work to enhance the competitiveness of small and midsize companies to create sustainable, quality jobs."