Cheonan:The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) has introduced a comprehensive strategy to enhance the adoption of physical AI among smaller manufacturers. This announcement was made during the 16th National Policy Coordination Meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister at Chong Kun Dang, a pharmaceutical company in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province.

According to Ministry of SMES and Startups, the government plans to allocate more than KRW 5 trillion towards smart manufacturing innovation by 2030. The strategy, known as the '3X strategy,' aims to assist SMEs in testing and adopting physical AI by merging digital transformation, AI, and robotics. Physical AI facilitates machines in perceiving their environment, making decisions, and performing actions, which is becoming crucial for competitive manufacturing.

The initiative identifies four key priorities accelerating AI adoption in factories, strengthening technology suppliers, enhancing the use of manufacturing data, and expanding regional infrastructure and workforce skills. MSS aims to tailor support according to each company's capabilities, from establishing digital infrastructure to developing advanced AI applications.

The strategy also includes developing a robust network of technology suppliers by preparing a technology roadmap to guide smart manufacturing R&D and investment. This roadmap will build on the existing smart manufacturing technology industry classification and focus on technologies needed for automation, networks, and intelligent systems.

Turning production data into better AI applications is another focus, with MSS supporting the valuation of manufacturing data and upgrading the Korea AI Manufacturing Platform to 'Manufacturing AI 24.' This aims to improve AI model development and deployment in factories.

Finally, MSS plans to build regional infrastructure and workforce skills by connecting AI hubs with testing facilities and providing specialized education through Korea's institutes of science and technology. The goal by 2030 is to support digital transformation at 30,000 SME manufacturers and AI adoption at 6,000, aiming to significantly boost digital and AI transformation rates among smaller manufacturers.