Korea launches industry AI alliance joined by 20 major companies

[Image source: Gettyimagesbank]

South Korea on Tuesday launched an industry artificial intelligence (AI) alliance joined by 20 large companies representing the value chain of major industries including automotive, shipbuilding, and steel.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said that it held an inauguration ceremony for the alliance in Seoul on Tuesday in the attendance of its First Vice Minister of Trade Jang Young-jin and representatives of 20 major companies from 10 industry sectors.

The alliance is joined by companies from mainstay sectors such as Hyundai Motor Co., LG Electronics Inc., Hyundai Steel Co., and LG Energy Solution Ltd., and digital transformation (DX) suppliers such as Samsung SDI Co. and SK C&C Co.

The alliance is an expansion of the existing Industrial Digital Transformation Alliance, which was formed in 2020 with more than 400 companies and organizations.

To facilitate swift integration of AI technology across industries, the alliance will be divided into three technology divisions - image-based object recognition such as automobiles, robots, and shipbuilding, machine control and diagnostics such as steel, home appliances, and electronics and machinery, and process logistics optimization such as secondary batteries, energy, chemicals, and textiles - along with two policy divisions for industrial data and laws and regulations.

By the end of the year, the technology division plans to identify 40 projects for industry AI solution commercialization based on the collaboration of suppliers and consumers, while the policy division will develop 15 tasks to utilize and promote industrial data and identify more than 10 areas for legal and regulatory improvements.

Consultations are already underway on more than 10 tasks, which include managing data linkage across the entire cycle from car design to second-hand sales, linking smart ships, equipment, shipping, and ports, relocating partners of large companies’ DX solutions for power products, and AI-based process control to minimize waste in the cement making process.

“Fundamental innovation in our industry is needed to overcome the structural limitations faced by our industry and respond to global uncertainties in recent years,” Jang said. “We will provide proactive support to enhance the competitiveness of the entire industry value chain instead of individual companies through the industry AI alliance.”