Jeju Province looks to expand AI use in industrial settings ... HP and Agibot experts head to Jeju

【Financial News Jeju = Reporter Jeong Yong-bok】 Jeju Province is exploring ways to expand local companies’ use of artificial intelligence (AI) from work automation to robotics. Experts from global information technology (IT) companies and robotics firms will gather in Jeju to share examples of industrial applications and ways to boost productivity.
According to the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province on the 29th, the 16th Jeju Industry Development Forum will be held on November 17 at Maison Glad Jeju in Jeju City under the theme “The Evolution of AI: From Thought to Action.”
The Ministry of SMEs and Startups, Jeju Province and Jeju Technopark are co-hosting the event. Jeju Technopark, the Jeju Industry-Academia Convergence Institute, Jeju National University’s Anchor Project Group and the Jeju Center for Creative Economy and Innovation are co-organizing it. Around 400 people, including local businesspeople and residents, are expected to attend.
This year’s forum focuses on industrial applications of AI agents and physical AI. An AI agent is a technology that can independently plan and carry out multiple steps of a task once a person sets a goal. Physical AI refers to technology that combines artificial intelligence with physical devices such as robots, enabling them to perceive their surroundings and perform real-world tasks.
The keynote address will be delivered by Kang Yong-nam, CEO of HP Korea Inc., who took office last March. Under the title “How AI Is Changing the Future of Work: Finding Answers in Global Companies,” he will explain how corporate work environments are changing and how productivity can be improved.
Leo Zhang, co-founder and CEO of GroundAI, will speak on “The Future of AI Agents.” Choi Woo-yong, chief technology officer of Wonderful AI Korea, will discuss examples of AI transformation in public institutions, while Agibot executive Abel Deng Feng is scheduled to outline the potential for using physical AI and robots in industrial settings.
In Jeju, tourism services, clean bio and green energy solutions are being fostered as core regional industries. Efforts are also underway to integrate AI into existing industries to improve production processes, quality control, customer service and other areas.
In particular, Jeju Province is running a 23.2-billion-won support program for biotech companies through the Ministry of SMEs and Startups’ region-led AI transformation initiative. As of September, 31 companies had received support to adopt AI solutions, improve production systems and conduct technology demonstrations.
Jeju Province also plans to complete construction of the Jeju Bio AI Center by December this year, enabling biotech companies to jointly develop and test AI technologies. However, as the existing support program ends at year-end, securing funding for the continued operation of related facilities and for business support remains a challenge.
Around 80 companies supported through regional industry-promotion programs will exhibit their products at the forum. Commendations will also be presented to outstanding Jeju companies VPP Lab and Lafic, and talks will be held on specific industry sectors.
Launched in 2011, the Jeju Industry Development Forum is being held for the 16th time this year. The program has expanded from last year’s talks focused on domestic experts to sharing examples of industrial applications from global company executives and technology experts.
“Artificial intelligence is a key driver of change in productivity and competitiveness in industrial settings,” said Jang Cheol-won, director general of Jeju Province’s Future Industries Bureau. “I hope this will provide an opportunity for businesses and institutions in the province to explore the potential uses of AI together.”


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