Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Chan-dae) and Incheon Technopark announced that they established the Incheon ICT Complex, a hub for the ICT Innovation Square Expansion Project, on the third floor of the Incheon Hall of the Korea Teachers’ Credit Union (357 Baekbeom-ro, Namdong-gu), and held an opening ceremony at 4 PM on the 25th.

The ICT Innovation Square Expansion Project, supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), aims to foster professionals specializing in artificial intelligence and software (AI·SW). The project is designed to enhance the competitiveness of local industries through AI Transformation (AX), which integrates artificial intelligence technologies across industries.

 In 2020, four regions—the Southeast (Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam), Northeast (Gangwon, Gyeongbuk, and Daegu), Honam (Gwangju, Jeonbuk, Jeonnam, and Jeju), and Chungcheong (Chungnam, Chungbuk, and Sejong)—were selected through a public competition, and regional ICT Innovation Squares have since been established and operated.

Through continued efforts to secure national funding, Incheon secured KRW 1.2 billion in national funding last December. Combined with KRW 300 million in local funding, the city invested a total of KRW 1.5 billion and began full-scale development of the facility infrastructure in March.

The Incheon ICT Innovation Square consists of one hub facility, the newly opened Incheon ICT Complex, and two training centers in Michuhol-gu and Namdong-gu. The core facility, the Incheon ICT Complex, is equipped with an AI Transformation (AX) training center, an AI Transformation (AX) open lab, an open lounge, and a shared workspace (workbench), among other facilities.

Going forward, the facility will offer a range of systematic programs that citizens and businesses can benefit from, including special lectures to promote awareness of AI Transformation, with a focus on manufacturing, support for trainees seeking professional certifications and licenses, practical AI Transformation consulting, and digital new technology training.

Around 100 people attended the opening ceremony, including Nam Yeong-hui, Vice Mayor for Balanced Development; National Assembly Member Lee Hun-ki; Namdong-gu Mayor Lee Byeong-rae; representatives from the Ministry of Science and ICT and related organizations; and citizens. A special seminar by experts was also held for those who had registered in advance, under the theme “Work and Value Chains Being Redesigned by AI Agents.”

Incheon plans to prepare for full-scale operations next year based on the results of this year’s project. The city will develop training programs that reflect the needs of trainees as well as diverse input from the local community.

The Vice Mayor for Balanced Development stated, “With today’s opening ceremony as a starting point, the Incheon ICT Innovation Square will become a key pillar driving the digital transformation of local industries by fostering AI and software professionals. We will provide active support to secure new growth engines for Incheon’s future industries and achieve innovative growth for the local economy.”