Seoul's Dongdaemun-gu has launched an initiative to transform urban administration through AI and smart technology.
The district office and its facilities management corporation are jointly pursuing 72 smart city projects. Officials reviewed 45 of the most significant ones, discussing ways to improve services residents can feel in their daily lives and to strengthen coordination across projects.
Dongdaemun-gu held an AI and smart city project briefing session Friday on the fifth floor of the district office, reviewing the progress and future plans of projects across multiple sectors.
The district is currently running 72 smart city projects in total — 60 across 26 departments of the district office and 12 under the facilities management corporation. The briefing brought together District Mayor Choi Dong-min, the deputy district mayor, department and division heads, project managers and facilities corporation officials to share results and identify areas for improvement across the 45 featured projects.
The review was organized into six areas: administration and data, education and economy, welfare and health, disaster and safety, transport and urban infrastructure, and facilities management. Officials examined not only each project's progress but also its tangible impact on residents and any problems that had emerged, then discussed cross-departmental solutions.
Among the highlighted projects is "AI Civic Assistant," which upgrades the district website's chatbot to give residents easier access to administrative information. The district also plans to introduce AI agents and AI administrative assistants for internal operations, and to build out intelligent CCTV networks and smart transport and urban infrastructure.
Programs to strengthen digital literacy across age groups will also be expanded. Initiatives include a mobile "AI School" that visits students, a fourth-industrial-revolution experience program and an AI lifelong-learning program for senior residents — all aimed at broadening access to digital technology.
In welfare and health, the district will pursue an IoT-based safety management solution, a smart welfare-check service and an AI-driven senior health management program. On the disaster and safety front, a safe-return-home service and expanded intelligent CCTV coverage will reinforce the community safety network.
In transport and urban infrastructure, smart technology will be brought into everyday life through smart shelter bus stops, a pilot autonomous driving bus service and the development of AIoT-based smart public parking facilities.
District Mayor Choi Dong-min said AI and smart technology "must translate into real change that makes residents' lives safer and more convenient," adding that he hoped district employees would "keep pace with the rapidly evolving speed of AI and take the lead in adopting advanced technology."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
