Busan Metropolitan City is launching a "work-centered artificial intelligence (AI)" initiative targeting its water supply system, a core urban infrastructure. The plan goes beyond simple chatbot deployment, aiming to transform administrative operations by connecting accumulated operational data with field experience.
The Busan Waterworks Headquarters announced it will unveil its self-developed AI agent "Sangsu-iN" (tentative name) at the "Busan Waterworks Headquarters AI Transformation (AX) Strategy Forum" to be held on the 27th in the conference room on the 10th floor of its headquarters building. According to the headquarters, this marks the nation's first AI agent developed at the local government level with a structure directly designed based on water supply operational data.
Unlike existing cases that simply use large language models (LLMs) for administrative support, "Sangsu-iN" is a "work-participation type" system centered on water supply business context and procedures. Built on Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology that links internal documents with facility operation data, the system goes beyond simple Q&A to find materials and assist decision-making within actual work flows. It is structured to support decision-making by converting field operation experience into data.
The headquarters also unveiled a strategy to develop water supply operations as a leading hub for public AI transformation (AX). Officials explained that AX is not about technology adoption itself, but a transformation strategy that organically connects operational data and work systems to enhance efficiency and response capabilities.
To this end, the headquarters launched a dedicated internal Data Analysis Task Force (TF) in January. Water supply systems, which operate 24 hours a day, represent a quintessential data-driven administrative field where real-time water quality and flow information and facility records are continuously accumulated. The headquarters presented four pillars for AX implementation: systematizing field operation experience, strengthening data-based work support, automating and standardizing repetitive tasks, and advancing AI centered on internal capabilities. The goal is to establish a "work-centered AI" model rather than a technology-centered one.
Mayor Park Hyung-joon said, "This AI agent introduction is not merely adding new technology, but a starting point for fundamentally innovating water supply administration by making accumulated data and know-how intelligent." He added, "We will build a system that supports rapid and accurate decision-making, develop water supply into a leading model for public AI transformation, and drive innovation in public services nationwide."