Experts have expressed their opinion that the introduction of industrial artificial intelligence (AI) should be expanded in traditional manufacturing sites.

Jaesik Choi, a professor at KAIST and CEO of INEEJI, said at the 'International Artificial Intelligence Expo' held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 15th, "There is a lot of interest in applying AI as a way to solve various problems in traditional manufacturing sites."

Professor Choi cited the burden of energy costs and the decline in labor force and productivity due to an aging population and population decline as problems facing the manufacturing industry.

"There is a shortage of skilled labor on traditional manufacturing plant floors," he explained. "People with specialized knowledge in programming or maintenance are leaving the workforce."

Professor Choi cited the increase in corporate production rates due to rising electricity rates as a reason for the need for digital transformation in manufacturing sites. Industrial electricity rates in 2023 increased by about 45% compared to 2021, and KEPCO’s debt exceeded 200 trillion won as of December 2023.

The aging of skilled drivers was also cited as a problem, with the proportion of field workers aged 40 or older accounting for an average of more than 65% as of 2021.

"All news articles shared on our website are excerpts provided solely for informational purposes and remain the intellectual property of their original publishers.

Reproducing, copying, or redistributing this content without prior consent from the original publishers is strictly prohibited."