Gwangju, South Korea – A significant milestone has been achieved for Gwangju's artificial intelligence (AI) industry, as the city's long-standing goal of fostering AI development has taken a major step forward with the passage of the AI Basic Law. The legislation, approved by the National Assembly on [date], provides a solid foundation for the city's AI initiatives.

A key component of the new law is the establishment of AI clusters and designated support organizations. This provision is expected to accelerate the progress of Gwangju's second-phase AI project. Furthermore, recent agreements have paved the way for the establishment of a specialized AI high school in the city.

The AI Basic Law aims to promote the development and utilization of AI technologies, strengthen the competitiveness of the AI ecosystem, and establish guidelines for protecting human rights and interests. It also authorizes the government to designate AI clusters and provide administrative, financial, and technical support for their development.

With this new law, the Gwangju AI Industry Fusion Project, which has been operating with government funding, is now eligible to be designated as a cluster support organization. This will enable the project to receive additional support and resources. Additionally, the law includes provisions for the construction and operation of AI data centers and other related infrastructure.

These developments are expected to give a significant boost to Gwangju's AI initiatives, including the creation of an AI convergence cluster and the attraction of a national AI computing center. The city has already invested 426.9 billion won since 2020 to establish an AI-centered industrial convergence cluster and build essential research and development facilities, including a national AI data center. Plans are underway for a second phase of AI development, with a budget of 900 billion won.

The establishment of an AI high school in Gwangju has also been finalized. The central government will cover 70% of the construction costs, while the city will contribute the remaining 30%.