IT services company HNIX said on Monday it has expanded and relocated its Ulsan branch and scaled up its AI Lab Center, headed by Jeong Deuk-young (정득영), to strengthen the creation of an AI ecosystem linked to local industry.

HNIX has worked to boost its AI technology competitiveness and push technology internalisation through strategic alliances and partnerships with major companies including Naver.

The AI Lab Center will be operated as an AX strategy hub that develops and spreads field-focused, proof-of-concept AI application models by combining accumulated knowledge and experience with local characteristics where manufacturing, energy and logistics industries are concentrated. It also plans to focus on hands-on training and research activities aimed at fostering local AI talent and expanding the industrial ecosystem.

From the second half of this year, it will also run an AI academy for external participants. Through open education programmes for local company practitioners and prospective founders, it plans to broaden the base for AI use in the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region and strengthen industry cooperation models through joint projects and technology exchanges with startups.

Jeong said, "Ulsan is a strategic hub where manufacturing and future technologies meet." He added, "Centred on the AI Lab Center, we will organically connect talent development, research and development, project execution and startup cooperation to grow it into a leading AX and AI hub representing the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam region."