AI companies specializing in areas such as fabless (semiconductor design), healthcare, big data, and mobility are paying keen attention to Gwangju, which is actively promoting its vision as an ‘AI City.’ As world-class AI firms relocate their headquarters and establish branch offices, hiring local talent, Gwangju City’s AI clustering efforts are gaining significant momentum.
According to Gwangju City on the 6th, as of February, 263 AI companies have signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the city regarding headquarters relocation or branch establishment, with 148 of these companies having already established a foothold in the city. The city plans to sign agreements with 10 additional companies on the 11th. Furthermore, AI semiconductor design firms are actively considering relocation to leverage Gwangju’s infrastructure for their research.
Among the AI companies settling in Gwangju, the semiconductor design sector is particularly notable. Following the fabless company ASICLAND in September last year, Gwangju signed agreements with five other firms in November, including AiM Future, which develops algorithms for Neural Processing Units (NPU)—the core component of semiconductors. AiM Future possesses Intellectual Property (IP) for NPU accelerators, enabling it to provide AI product development and optimization solutions. These companies, equipped with unique semiconductor design capabilities, plan to partner with local universities to operate specialized semiconductor workforce training programs and establish R&D centers. They project hiring over 100 local talents within the next six years.
Pioneering Gwangju-Specific AI Semiconductor Solutions
The ‘Gwangju-Specific AI Semiconductor Product – EV Charging Station Fire Detection and Prediction Service’ made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2025) in the US this January. This service product utilizes Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) to detect the temperature of electric vehicle chargers in real-time and provides an alarm to the management authority if the temperature exceeds 60℃
Gwangju City is currently connecting semiconductor design companies with five local enterprises to develop various solutions, including AI fault diagnosis prediction for hydrogen fuel cell power generation systems, Non-face-to-face pig farming management services, Biometric signal analysis pet care solutions.
Kim Chang-soo, CEO of AiM Future, stated, “Gwangju provides administrative support, essential infrastructure like the National AI Data Center, and a structure that facilitates the hiring of local talent. This is why companies producing AI products are focusing on Gwangju.”
Choi Tae-jo, Director General of the AI Industry Office, added, “When semiconductor design firms and local companies in Gwangju collaborate to produce the advanced ‘Gwangju-Specific AI Semiconductor,’ it becomes possible to integrate it with high-value applications like autonomous vehicles, creating significant added value. We plan to support Gwangju in becoming a leading city capable of AI technology development, validation, and commercialization.”
