Seoul Aims to Become an AI Powerhouse with Expert Consultation

On February 5, 2025, the city of Seoul convened a meeting to strategize on enhancing its competitiveness in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. The meeting, held at 10:40 AM in the main hall of Seoul City Hall, brought together ten experts, including representatives from major corporations, startups, and academia, to discuss strategies for establishing South Korea as a leader in AI.

During the session, securing talent was identified as the top priority. Professor Jang Byeong-tak from Seoul National University emphasized that Seoul possesses the necessary potential and infrastructure to become a hub for the AI industry, suggesting that proactive investment and incentives could attract skilled professionals.

The importance of building infrastructure and making concentrated investments was also highlighted. There was a consensus on the need to eliminate regulations that hinder the growth of the AI sector. Professor Choi Jae-bong from Sungkyunkwan University stated, "We must boldly remove obstacles that impede the birth of new technologies and industries."

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon remarked that the future of South Korea heavily relies on advancements in AI, asserting that the city must take the lead in preparing human resources to compete effectively in this field. He announced plans to establish 'Youth Employment Training Schools' across 25 districts in Seoul, aiming to produce 10,000 AI professionals in collaboration with local universities.

Additionally, last year, Seoul became the first local government in the country to integrate AI technology into its administration with the 'Seoul AI Administration Promotion Plan.' This initiative includes a budget of 206.4 billion KRW over three years for projects such as AI-based digital crime removal support and the expansion of intelligent surveillance cameras.

Mayor Oh stated, "Next week, we will unveil our AI vision, ensuring it provides hope for the citizens of South Korea."