The Ministry of Science and ICT is pioneering sales channels for domestic AI semiconductors through a voucher support program for companies and institutions looking to adopt AI technology.

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced the launch of the '2023 Artificial Intelligence Voucher Support Project,' which supports the use of AI solutions for small, pioneering, and mid-sized enterprises and medical institutions seeking to adopt AI technology.

The 'AI Voucher Program' is a program introduced in 2020 with the goal of providing competitive domestic AI companies (suppliers) with opportunities for corporate growth by promoting their AI technologies, and supporting digital transformation by enabling companies that need to apply AI technologies (demanders) to adopt innovative artificial intelligence technologies.

In 2023, approximately 250 projects worth 70 billion won will be selected. The selection of demand companies, which are companies utilizing AI vouchers, is conducted through a public competition, and selected companies are provided with vouchers worth up to 300 million won.

In particular, in conjunction with the 'Digital Strategy of Korea,' which presented the vision of 'a digital powerhouse that becomes a global model together with the people' last September, the scope of intensive development is expanded to a total of five fields by newly establishing AI semiconductors, small business, and international fields in addition to the existing general and medical fields.

The AI semiconductor sector is expected to contribute to the creation of an initial market for domestic AI semiconductors by selecting companies wishing to adopt domestic AI semiconductor-based solutions to support the 'Promotion of K-Cloud based on domestic AI semiconductors.'

It encourages the promotion of digital utilization among small business owners with growth potential, and in the international sector, expands demand agencies overseas to support the establishment of initial sales channels for AI companies entering global markets.

The recipients of support for the three newly established fields will be selected through a public call early next year, and the scale of support and eligibility for each field will be announced separately. Suppliers are recruited year-round, and demand companies select suitable companies and solutions from the supplier pool and submit business plans; if selected, they will receive AI usage rights.

Eom Yeol, Director General of AI-based Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, emphasized, "In a situation where global competition for technological hegemony centered on the U.S. and China is intensifying, artificial intelligence is the core of global technological competition," and stated, "We will actively support the growth of technologically advanced domestic small and medium-sized enterprises and pioneering companies through AI usage rights."