Ulsan accelerates AI transformation of key industries

Ulsan is moving to overhaul its core manufacturing industries — automotive, shipbuilding and petrochemical — by integrating AI into production, development and management operations as part of a full-scale AI transformation drive.

The city said Tuesday it is pursuing a total of 100 AI-related projects worth 1.49 trillion won ($1.08 billion), of which 14 industrial AI transformation pilot projects account for 608.7 billion won.

The key pilot projects span three sectors: in automotive, an AI-based autonomous production system capable of manufacturing multiple vehicle models on a single production line; in petrochemicals, an AI model built on industrial big data and specialized in process optimization and predictive equipment diagnostics; and in shipbuilding, pilot work to integrate AI and robots into core manufacturing processes — from design and production through to welding, inspection and maintenance.

Starting next year, the city plans to launch a project supporting AI transformation in automotive manufacturing using humanoid robots, developed in partnership with Gwangju and South Jeolla Province. The initiative will link Ulsan's world-class automotive manufacturing capabilities with the AI and robotics expertise of the Gwangju and South Jeolla region, building a broad inter-regional cooperation framework.

Ulsan is also pursuing six new projects to drive industrial AI transformation: construction and demonstration of a shipbuilding AI transformation-specialized pilot space (40.5 billion won); establishment of a national industrial AI transformation demonstration center (45 billion won); construction and demonstration of a pilot unmanned automated factory in an industrial complex (30 billion won); construction and demonstration of an on-site AI data center in an industrial complex (14 billion won); development of an integrated AI factory and AI-based manufacturing model technology (120 billion won); and development of AI solutions utilizing tacit manufacturing knowledge (290 billion won).

The city also plans to create an industrial AI transformation hub complex — called NEXUS — that will consolidate previously separate AI transformation projects into a single integrated space and system.

The NEXUS hub is designed as a full-cycle cluster offering one-stop support covering AI technology development, data and computing infrastructure, on-site demonstration and commercialization.