Canadian Ambassador to Korea Michael Danagher visited Changwon and expressed deep satisfaction with the joint project between Korea and Canada on manufacturing innovation through artificial intelligence (AI).

The Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) announced on the 29th that Canadian Ambassador to Korea Michael Danagher visited the KERI and received a report on the performance of the ‘Korea-Canada Manufacturing Innovation Artificial Intelligence (AI) Project.’

Currently, KERI and Changwon City are actively promoting the Changwon Special Economic Zone project with the specialized field of "intelligent electricity-based machine fusion" to revitalize the local economy. As part of this, they are working with Canada, a global leader in AI, as a key partner to open the door to the era of "intelligent electricity."

In particular, the 'KERI-Waterloo University Changwon Artificial Intelligence Research Center' opened in July of last year as a stepping stoneAh, we are seeing the effects of AI technology being applied to industrial sites, such as resolving manufacturing process bottlenecks, improving productivity and efficiency, and reducing defect rates.

Last year, through the first-year project, we built intelligent factories in three companies (Taerim Industrial, Shinsung Precision, and Kaswin) in the Changwon Industrial Complex, and this year, we are promoting process efficiency improvement through the application of AI algorithms to two companies (Shinseung and Bukyeong).

Kim Jong-moon, Director of KERI's Artificial Intelligence Research Center, said in a performance report with Canadian Ambassador to Korea Michael Danagher, "Introducing AI technology to manufacturing sites is a rare case even worldwide, so we went through a lot of trial and error in the early stages of the project. However, these experiences became a strong asset, and we were able to secure a lot of data." He added, "We can expect a regional economic ripple effect of 2 trillion won per year through the '30500' project to build about 500 AI-based intelligent factories by 2030."

Canadian Ambassador to Korea Michael Danaher also praised the achievements of KERI and Changwon City, and offered encouragement, asking that the successful combination of AI and manufacturing become a global best practice beyond Korea.

Meanwhile, KERI is also making significant efforts to expand the base of AI technology, including hosting the 'Manufacturing AI Concert for Regional Industry Innovation' on the 28th in cooperation with Changwon City and Gyeongnam National University. This event, attended by approximately 50 industry, academic, and research leaders from the Changwon Gangso Special Zone and other regions, not only provided specialized training on AI, but also provided a forum for lively discussions among participants on how to successfully introduce AI into manufacturing sites.

In a video congratulatory address on the same day, Kang Jae-gwan, Vice President of Industry-Academic Cooperation at Gyeongnam National University, expressed his intention to “continuously develop and disseminate AI-based education specialized in the manufacturing industry at universities, thereby contributing greatly to regional economic innovation.”

Changwon Mayor Heo Seong-moo, who is leading the manufacturing innovation AI project with KERI, said, “We will spare no support in establishing AI infrastructure throughout the Changwon region to secure sustainable future growth engines, such as by integrating AI into corporate sites to enhance the competitiveness of local industries.”

Changwon City, the center of the Changwon Special Economic Zone, and KERI aim to enhance regional economic expertise through the dissemination of various intelligent electrical technologies that will lead the 4th Industrial Revolution, such as AI, big data, and information and communications technology, and to create the No. 1 special economic zone in Korea by creating tangible manufacturing innovation results.