South Korea to Spend 5 Trillion Won to Bring AI to Small Manufacturers

South Korea's government has unveiled a plan to invest at least 5 trillion won (about 251.45 billion yuan) by 2030 to bring physical AI to small and medium manufacturers. The "3X strategy" combines digitalization, AI, and robotics, aiming to raise the AI adoption rate from 1% to 10%.

The government will help small businesses build smart factories, upgrade equipment, and use AI and digital twin tech in production. It plans to bring manufacturing robots to over 1,000 companies, with support tailored to each company's digital level. AI and robots will first be tested in food, cosmetics, casting, and other high-risk processes.

South Korea also plans to grow 500 smart manufacturing companies and roll out an "AI factory director" system for unmanned factories. Companies can use their data as in-kind investment in government programs. The KAMP platform will be upgraded to "Manufacturing AI24", and training programs will help ease worker shortages.