INCHEON — A core hub to lead the artificial intelligence transformation (AX) of manufacturing, Incheon's main industry, and to train specialized software talent has opened its doors.
Incheon Metropolitan City said on the 26th that it had set up the Incheon ICT Complex, a hub for the Ministry of Science and ICT's ICT Innovation Square expansion project, together with the Incheon Technopark, and held an opening ceremony. The complex is located on the third floor of the Korean Teachers' Credit Union Incheon Hall (357 Baekbeom-ro, Namdong District).
The Incheon ICT Complex, built with a total of 1.5 billion won (about $1.1 million) — 1.2 billion won in state funds and 300 million won in local funds — is tasked with strengthening the competitiveness of local companies by promoting an artificial intelligence transformation (AX) that applies AI technology across industries. The Ministry of Science and ICT began the project in 2020, first selecting four regional zones — the southeast, northeast, Honam and Chungcheong — and Incheon fully joined the infrastructure buildout this year after securing state funding.
The Incheon hub that opened this time is operated as an integrated network of the Incheon ICT Complex, which serves as the headquarters, and two training sites in Michuhol District and Namdong District. Inside the complex are an AX hands-on training site for practice-oriented technology verification, an open lab, an open lounge and a shared workbench, among other facilities.
Centered on this site, Incheon plans to run special lectures to spread awareness of manufacturing-tailored AX, support for trainees earning certifications, on-site practical consulting and a curriculum on new digital technologies. Based on the results of this year's pilot operation, it will expand regular, demand-tailored training programs starting next year.
The opening ceremony drew about 100 attendees, including Nam Young-hee, Incheon's Vice Mayor for Balanced Development; National Assembly member Lee Hoon-ki; Namdong District Mayor Lee Byung-rae; and officials from the Ministry of Science and ICT and related agencies. As a side event, an expert seminar was held on "Work and Value Chains Redesigned by AI Agents."
Nam said the Incheon ICT Complex would become an outpost that drives the digital transformation of local industry by nurturing AI and software talent. She added that the city would secure future growth engines and support innovative growth in the regional economy.
