The advent of the 4th Industrial Revolution and the rapid changes in modern society have led to the development of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and the convergence of IoT (Internet of Things) technologies, which are significantly impacting local communities. This interaction greatly helps enhance convenience in residents' daily lives, provides emotional support to the elderly, and offers new opportunities and challenges to the youth.
In line with this trend, Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, is attracting attention by continuously promoting related projects that introduce AI and big data technologies in various fields such as care, health and medical services, jobs, environment, and youth. Notably, AI check-in calls and empathetic speakers for seniors aged 65 and over, people with disabilities, and single-person households in need of assistance, as well as AI autonomous unmanned robots and reusable cup collection robots, are representative examples.
As part of the Gwangju Daum Integrated Care Safety Support Project, which has been implemented since April last year, the 'AI Check-in Call' and 'ICT Utilization Safety Check' services are playing a crucial role in preventing solitary deaths. Based on AI Hyper Clova developed by Naver, a leading domestic IT company, these services make weekly check-in calls to care recipients. For those who have difficulty answering calls, ICT (Information and Communication Technology) devices equipped with motion detection and alert settings monitor their condition.
To facilitate smooth communication for digitally vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with disabilities, the AI empathetic speaker 'Todaki,' which has been distributed to 10 households of home-based disabled persons since the end of last year, offers various functions including voice guidance and emotional support, receiving positive responses. This began when Dong-gu signed a business agreement with the Korea Electronics Technology Institute AI Center and GN ICT Co., Ltd., developing and distributing speakers that provide smart services based on voice recognition technology and emotion recognition algorithms. It is expected to contribute to the development of even better products in the future.
In particular, to overcome the regional limitation of lacking large-scale industrial complexes and to create an industrial environment centered on small business owners, the 'AI Healthcare New Industry Ecosystem' project utilizing medical infrastructure is achieving tangible results. Since 2020, through the steadily promoted AI healthcare new industry, about 70 startups have moved into the Geumnam-ro AI Startup Camp 1 and 2, with around 60 more waiting to move in. Following the completion of phases 1 and 2, the district is accelerating the phase 3 project (fostering startups based on a healthcare big data platform) targeting completion by 2026.
Additionally, the 'Lifelog Health Management Center,' opened in June last year within the Dong-gu Startup Support Center, allows residents to directly measure their health status using AI demonstration equipment and receive personalized 1:1 counseling throughout their life cycle, all free of charge, garnering high praise from the local community. Furthermore, it attracts participation and interest from related companies by supporting prototype demonstrations of healthcare-based enterprises. Efforts are also underway to create a pleasant and safe smart underground shopping mall. Recently, the district held an on-site demonstration at the Geumnam Underground Shopping Mall and, after a pilot operation, plans to deploy 'AI autonomous unmanned robots' in sections 1 and 2 of the mall starting in April, providing convenience such as visitor guidance and fire detection.
Moreover, as part of the 'Reusable Cup Usage Activation Public Institution Pilot Project' initiated in 2022 to create a 'low-carbon eco-friendly city,' AI-equipped 'Reusable Cup Collection Robots' have been installed and are operating in three locations: the district office main building's 1st and 4th floors and Dongmyeong-dong I-FLEX. Dong-gu is home to the Gwangju AI Academy, which trains young professionals interested in AI, and the 'Youth Agit (D.GIT),' a youth center opened at the end of last year, is running the 'Practical AI Utilization Community' for Dong-gu youth for the first time this year in cohorts. This is expected to contribute to establishing the district as a cradle for AI professionals by providing various support to youth interested in AI or planning employment and entrepreneurship.
A Dong-gu official stated, "We will discover and promote various projects that can improve residents' quality of life and contribute to revitalizing the local economy through AI technology, a core technology of the 4th Industrial Revolution." He added, "We will continue to link and apply AI technology to public infrastructure and provide opportunities to experience new technologies, realizing 'Smart City' Dong-gu, Gwangju."
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Dieser Artikel ist neu veröffentlicht von / This article is republished from: The Asia Business Daily, 14.08.2025
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