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Busan to Support the Development of Top-Tier Early-Career AI Researchers, Driving Growth in the Regional AI Industry

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Busan Metropolitan City, led by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, announced that Pusan National University has been selected for the AI Top-Tier Early-Career Researcher Support Program, or AI Star Fellowship, jointly promoted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP).

The AI Star Fellowship is a national competitive program designed to foster top-tier early-career researchers who can lead global innovation in artificial intelligence and support the creation of world-class AI research achievements.

Together with Pusan National University, Busan Metropolitan City will invest a total of KRW 12.1 billion over six years from 2026 to 2031, including KRW 11 billion in national funding, KRW 550 million in municipal funding, and KRW 550 million from the university, to conduct research and development in the convergence of AI, bio, and healthcare.

Through the project, the Pusan National University research team will conduct research and development in the convergence of AI, bio, and healthcare, with the goal of establishing a precision medicine platform based on multimodal artificial intelligence that integrates ultrasound imaging, biosignals, genomic data, diagnostic data, and other information.

Major research projects include Embodied AI-based 3D ultrasound imaging technology, an automated diagnostic generation system based on general-purpose medical AGI, and the development of disease-associated nanosensors and AI predictive models.

The research team will also work with Samsung Medison, 42MARU, and the Seegene Medical Foundation to incorporate needs from industry into research and development and strengthen cooperation so that research outcomes can be rapidly applied in clinical practice and industry.

Multimodal refers to the simultaneous processing and integration of different types of information, or modalities, such as text, images, audio, and video.

Embodied AI refers to intelligent systems that perceive their environment through sensors embedded in physical entities such as robots and mobile platforms, make judgments and plans using AI, and carry out real-world actions.

AGI, or Artificial General Intelligence, refers to human-like intelligence capable of understanding and performing tasks across a wide range of fields.

Through this project, Busan Metropolitan City plans to support outstanding AI researchers in establishing themselves in the region and strengthening their research capabilities. It will also connect the AI research capabilities of universities with the technologies and data of local companies so that research outcomes can enhance the competitiveness of regional businesses and contribute to the growth of the AI and biohealth industries.

Busan Metropolitan City has continuously expanded talent development programs tailored to the needs of local industries, ranging from hands-on professionals in artificial intelligence and software to advanced research personnel. Through this project, the city plans to further strengthen its tiered talent development framework by extending it to top-tier AI research talent.

In particular, the city will expand cooperation between local universities and companies to create an environment where outstanding talent can conduct research and grow in Busan. It also plans to establish a virtuous cycle of talent development, research and development, employment and entrepreneurship, and long-term settlement in the region, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of the local AI and digital industries.

Busan Metropolitan City will continue to link national research and development programs with regional investment to secure outstanding AI talent and strengthen university-industry cooperation, while continuously enhancing the regional AI ecosystem so that AI research achievements lead to growth in local industries.

Kim Dong-hyun, Director General of the Future Technology Strategy Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, said, “To strengthen the competitiveness of the AI industry, it is important to establish a virtuous cycle in which talented people settle in the region and research achievements are transferred to industry. We will provide our full support so that the outcomes of this project can lead to innovation in local industries and the creation of new jobs.”