Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province has been selected by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency to carry out a program supporting AI industry growth based on small data centers. The total budget approaches 10 billion won ($6.43 million), with the central government covering 60 percent and Gangwon Province the remaining 40 percent.
The program centers on technology development in areas closely tied to daily life — particularly healthcare, safety and manufacturing — where AI applications are expected to deliver strong impact. It will leverage GPU resources held by Gangwon National University's Gangneung campus and Hallym University to support AI companies in the province as they develop and demonstrate AI services in those three sectors.
Officials expect the initiative to drive more efficient use of existing AI infrastructure in the region and strengthen companies' capacity to adopt AI. Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and Gangneung City are participating, with Gangwon Technopark and the Gangneung Science and Industry Promotion Agency serving as lead and co-organizers.
Seven companies in Gangwon Province will use the universities' AI data centers to develop and test technologies in healthcare, manufacturing and safety. The program aims to accelerate AI transformation and build a regional AI cooperation ecosystem bringing together universities, businesses and public institutions.
In healthcare, the program will develop AI-based medical and care services along with AI education solutions for nursing and public health, laying the groundwork for faster and more accessible medical services.
In safety, AI and drone technology will be applied to coastal safety management, facility inspection and disaster response systems to strengthen public safety.
In manufacturing, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province said it plans to apply AI to green biotech production processes and defect detection systems to boost industrial competitiveness.
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