Jeonbuk National University nominated to lead gov’t-funded AI pilot project

Jeonbuk National University's campus in Jeonju / Courtesy of Jeonbuk National University

Jeonbuk National University has been named a lead institution for the government’s physical artificial intelligence (AI) pilot project, the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) said Monday.

The government has allocated a total of 1 trillion won ($721 million) of taxpayer money to help facilitate the technology. Of those funds, the college said the school has secured 21.9 billion won to establish top-notch R&D infrastructure to create a central hub for the country’s emerging physical AI ecosystem.

Physical AI refers to next-generation AI capable of physical actions, going beyond the scope of generative AI. The pilot project marks Korea’s first large-scale demonstration of physical AI as a strategic industry.

The school said it will oversee the entire process from testing to talent cultivation and industrialization.

It added it will focus on “collaborative physical AI.” Unlike conventional applications which are limited to individual robots or machines, Jeonbuk National University envisions AI integration at the factory-wide level, treating entire plants as a unified system. This approach incorporates digital twins, which are virtual stand-ins for physical objects, foundation models and industrial simulations to achieve full-scale efficiency for unmanned operations.

In a bid to achieve the ambitious goal, the college is developing a 3,300-square-meter robotics testbed on its campus. It also plans to begin construction of a dedicated 181,000-square-meter physical AI campus next year.

The site will host R&D facilities for Hyundai Motor, Naver and other industry leaders alongside the school’s robotic AI labs.

Under a partnership with KAIST and Sungkyunkwan University, Jeonbuk National University will also operate Korea’s first physical AI living lab. The school will create a joint education platform featuring shared curricula, credit exchanges and a capstone design program.

“Physical AI is the pinnacle of AI that changes reality, not just data,” said Jeonbuk National University President Yang O-bong. “I will do my best to establish the world’s leading physical AI valley as quickly as possible.”

The school highlighted that political and local support was critical in Jeonbuk National University’s nomination to the project.

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young secured 21.9 billion won through the supplementary budget to help the school’s project. Chung is also a ruling Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker elected by the district where the college is located.

North Jeolla Province Governor Kim Kwan-young also welcomed the school’s nomination.

“This will be a turning point not only for Jeonbuk National University but also for North Jeolla’s industrial future,” he said.