CEOs of manufacturing firms in regional industrial complexes are seeking to address issues such as equipment failures and a shortage of skilled labor through artificial intelligence (AI).
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy held the 'M.AX CEO Hackathon' on September 21 at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Sejong, with around 100 participants, including CEOs from local industrial complex manufacturing companies and AI specialists. The event featured over 50 CEOs from manufacturing firms, 10 AI supply companies, members of the MINI Alliance, the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation, and the Korea Institute for Industrial Technology Planning and Evaluation.
This event was designed for CEOs to identify the problems that need to be prioritized for AI solutions in their factories and to collaborate with AI experts to develop actionable AI transformation (AX) projects.
The government views the AX initiatives of manufacturing companies as a starting point for determining the order of addressing various issues, such as equipment failures and skilled labor shortages, and for deciding where to focus personnel and investments. The role of the CEO in leading organizational decision-making alongside technology adoption is emphasized.
In a keynote speech on 'The Role of CEOs in the AI Era,' Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan stated, "AX is not just about technology adoption; it is a management issue that involves redesigning how companies operate." He explained that it is the CEO's responsibility to coordinate scattered data and interests across departments to establish company-wide priorities.
He also introduced the '3A' principles for behavior in the AI era: 'Adapt' to changes, 'Adept' in understanding and mastering AI, and 'Adopt' by implementing AI in practice. He emphasized that CEOs must take the lead in demonstrating leadership during the process of understanding AI and executing changes.
Examples of companies that have implemented AX in manufacturing settings were also shared. HD Hyundai Samho presented its experience in promoting AX in shipbuilding, while Osung Steel discussed how it converted the operational know-how of skilled workers into data that AI can learn from, thereby shortening the training period for new employees through AI simulations.
Participants were then divided into 10 teams to share their specific challenges and desired AX projects. They worked with AI specialists and experts to refine solutions, review applicable AI technologies, target processes, investment scales, and expected outcomes. Discussions also included potential follow-up support through government projects.
As a result, the project 'Universal Manufacturing Agent-Based AX Expansion in Banwol-Sihwa Industrial Complex,' involving Osung Steel and Naver Cloud among seven companies, was awarded the top prize. The excellence awards went to 'AX in the Shipbuilding Process of Daebul Industrial Complex and Expansion of Large, Medium, and Small Value Chains' by HD Hyundai Samho and 'Predictive Maintenance and Process Automation AX in Ulsan and Yeosu Industrial Complexes' by Dongmyeong Industry and seven other companies.
The Ministry stated, "We plan to support the follow-up verification of AX projects to ensure they lead to on-site applications through government support programs. Verified models will be expanded to similar processes and other industrial complexes, and we will continue to support manufacturing AX based on the challenges and demands of individual companies."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.