The Korean government has unveiled a strategy to build regional artificial intelligence transformation (AX) ecosystems centered on the nation's four major science and technology institutes. The plan aims to integrate AI into region-specific industries and create a virtuous cycle where locally trained talent settles into regional industries and startups.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced the "Four Science and Technology Institutes AX Strategy for Regional Talent Development and AX Innovation" at the 5th Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting on June 11. The strategy targets KAIST, GIST, DGIST, and UNIST, positioning these institutes as central hubs for regional AX innovation with concentrated support across four areas: industry, talent, startups, and campus infrastructure.
By region, KAIST will lead AX in defense, semiconductors, and bio industries in the central region. GIST will drive energy, mobility, and bio-health in the Honam region. DGIST will focus on robotics, semiconductors, and healthcare in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region. UNIST will spearhead shipbuilding, aerospace, and materials industries in the southeastern region.
The government will also establish "Industry-Academia AX Joint Research Centers" with participation from both institutes and companies. Companies will provide industrial data while institutes contribute AI talent and model development capabilities to solve field challenges together. KAIST will partner with LIG Nex1, KAI, and Celltrion. GIST will collaborate with KENTECH, Korea Electric Power Corporation, and POSCO Future M. DGIST will work with HL Mando and Partron. UNIST will team up with HD Hyundai and POSCO Holdings.
Talent development will also be strengthened. The government will establish new AI gifted schools in Gwangju and Chungbuk and convert approximately three existing schools into institute-affiliated gifted schools. A pilot AI college model will be created at KAIST in 2026, with expansion to other institutes and regional universities from 2027. Credit exchanges, joint graduate programs, and faculty cross-appointments between institutes and regional universities will be promoted.
In the startup sector, the government will establish or expand startup centers at each institute to strengthen their role as regional deep-tech startup hubs. "AI solo entrepreneurs" will be cultivated through AI agent-based startup and education support. On campuses, AI transformation across research, academics, and administration will be pursued through shared GPU resources, expanded autonomous laboratories, and AI agent adoption.
The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to sign MOUs with major partner companies before launching full-scale operations. Minister Bae Kyung-hoon said, "The AI transformation is a core engine that will drive balanced national development. We will build a self-sustaining ecosystem where regionally trained talent leads regional innovation."