The Seoul city government on Tuesday announced policy strategies to promote the artificial intelligence industry, vowing to foster 10,000 AI professionals every year and build an AI technology city where work, living and pleasure are combined.
The strategies, unveiled by Mayor Oh Se-hoon during an AI conference at COEX in southern Seoul, call for creating an AI powerhouse based on seven tasks, including nurturing talent, building infrastructure, expanding investment, convergence between industries and globalization.
Recently, the US-based Boston Consulting Group classified South Korea among the second-tier AI countries trailing global leaders, such as Canada, China, Singapore, Britain and the US, triggering a sense of crisis here.
First of all, the Seoul city government said it will train 10,000 AI talents annually, 4,000 through the Seoul Software Academy and 6,000 through universities, to respond to the rapidly increasing demand in the sector. Starting this year, the city government will establish new scholarships worth 600 million won ($413,000) to support 60 people in AI-related master's degree programs.
As part of infrastructure development, the so-called Seoul AI Tech City will be created in the Yangjae AI innovation district in southern Seoul. The AI tech city, whose construction is set to begin in 2028, will house domestic and international graduate schools, world-class research institutes and cultural and residential spaces, the city government said.
It also noted an AI fund worth 500 billion won will be created by next year to expand investments in the field. (Yonhap)
