- South Korea to invest 700 billion won for AI manufacturing transformation.
- M.AX Alliance focuses on on-device AI chips, factories, robotics, and mobility.
- Plan targets 100 trillion won value, robots by 2029, self-driving cars by 2030.
The government plans to invest 700 billion won (US$478 million) next year to back initiatives for the manufacturing sector's artificial intelligence (AI) transformation, which encompasses the creation of on-device AI chips and the export of AI factories, according to the industry ministry.
The Manufacturing AX (M.AX) Alliance, a government-backed coalition of companies and organizations focused on the AI transformation (AX) of manufacturing sectors, announced five significant initiatives for the upcoming year at its inaugural general assembly, as reported by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.
The initiatives encompass the creation of AI models for robotics, vehicles, and AI factories, the advancement of on-device AI chips, and the facilitation of AI factory exports. Specifically, the government intends to allocate a minimum of 100 billion won by 2030 for establishing an AI database for manufacturing sectors, along with an additional 700 billion won by 2032 aimed at creating tailored AI models for AI factories, future mobility, and AI robotics.
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The partnership seeks to create on-device AI chips for vehicles, robots, and household appliances, intending to launch a test product by 2028 and produce 10 different AI semiconductors by 2030. The M.AX Alliance was launched in September as part of the industry ministry’s initiative to position South Korea as a global frontrunner in AX manufacturing, featuring around 1,300 prominent manufacturing and AI firms such as Hyundai Motor Group, LG Electronics Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., and Rainbow Robotics.
The partnership aims to create over 100 trillion won in added-value by 2030 via the AI transformation of essential manufacturing sectors, with specific goals of commencing mass production of humanoid robots in 2029 and self-driving vehicles in 2030.