Seoul: The Seoul city government on Tuesday announced policy strategies to promote the artificial intelligence (AI) industry, vowing to foster 10,000 AI professionals every year and build an AI technology city where work, living, and pleasure are combined.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the strategies were unveiled by Mayor Oh Se-hoon during an AI conference at COEX in southern Seoul. The plan aims to create an AI powerhouse based on seven tasks, including nurturing talent, building infrastructure, expanding investment, convergence between industries, and globalization. The initiative comes in response to the U.S.-based Boston Consulting Group's classification of South Korea among second-tier AI countries, trailing behind global leaders such as Canada, China, Singapore, Britain, and the U.S., which has triggered a sense of urgency in the region.
The Seoul city government plans to train 10,000 AI talents annually, with 4,000 individuals through the Seoul Software Academy and 6,000 through universities, to meet the rapidly increasing demand in the sector. Starting this year, new scholarships worth 600 million won (US$413,000) will be established to support 60 people in AI-related master's degree programs.
As part of the infrastructure development, the Seoul AI Tech City will be created in the Yangjae AI innovation district in southern Seoul. Construction is set to begin in 2028, and the AI tech city will accommodate domestic and international graduate schools, world-class research institutes, and cultural and residential spaces, according to the city government.
In addition, an AI fund worth 500 billion won will be established by next year to expand investments in the field.