GWANGJU, South Korea – Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kang Gi-jung) announced on the 19th that it will officially launch the ‘AX (AI Transformation) Validation Valley Project’ with a total investment of 600 billion KRW. The plan was approved at a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Lee Jae-myung on the 18th.
Mayor Kang stated, “Over the next five years, we will transform Gwangju into a citizen-centric AI hub,” expressing his strong determination to host the National AI Computing Center, a key infrastructure for the initiative.
Building on the achievements of the Phase 1 project, this Phase 2 initiative is designed to drive urban and lifestyle innovation through AI. The primary goals are to accelerate the AI transformation of regional strategic industries, innovate city living, and establish AX infrastructure, with the ultimate aim of clustering 1,000 AI convergence enterprises.
In conjunction with the Phase 2 project, Gwangju City plans to be designated as a National AI Cluster, pursue an AI Regulation-Free Special Zone, and host the National AI Computing Center to leap forward as a National AI Pilot City. The city intends to facilitate corporate validation and R&D through regulatory deregulation and extensive administrative and financial support.
Over the past five years, Gwangju has successfully executed the 430 billion KRW Phase 1 AI project, establishing the nation’s only National AI Data Center. This initiative has supported approximately 900 companies in conducting over 2,000 projects.
Furthermore, the city has fostered a robust talent pipeline, training around 4,000 individuals annually through the AI Academy, AI Convergence College, and AI Graduate Schools. Gwangju has signed agreements with 299 companies nationwide, 158 of which have already relocated to the city. The local AI ecosystem is rapidly expanding, highlighted by the settlement of global AI semiconductor firms such as AimFuture and ASICLAND.
