UNIST successfully hosted the 2025 AI Innovation Day at the Ulsan Exhibition Convention Center (UECO), showcasing regional achievements in digital transformation (DX) and artificial intelligence (AI). The event highlighted UNIST’s impact on industry practices and talent development, outlining a bold vision for Ulsan’s industrial future.
Organized by UNIST Pioneers Campus alongside the World Advanced Vision Expo 2025 (WAVE 2025), the event drew over 100 participants from industry, academia, research institutes, and student groups. Attendees exchanged insights and experiences, fostering a vibrant on-site discussion about emerging industries and AI-driven innovation. Since its establishment in 2021, Pioneers Campus has become a regional hub for AI education, research, and startups.
In his remarks, Director Byoung Ki Seo of U Institute for Future Strategy emphasized, “UNIST is a key platform for AI transformation and regional industrial growth,” hoping the event will elevate Ulsan’s industrial ecosystem.
UNIST Pioneers Campus hosted the ‘2025 AI Innovation Day’ to showcase the region’s digital transformation (DX) achievements.
The event highlighted the major initiatives of Pioneers Campus, such as the AI Novatus Academy, industry-academic joint research, real-world AI applications by resident companies, startup success stories, and internship outcomes.
The passion of the younger generation for AI innovation was evident. Teams from study groups and internships shared their achievements, highlighting their role as drivers of regional digital transformation and AI dissemination, and showcasing tangible progress across the local industry ecosystem.
During the awards ceremony, the AI Innovation Award recognized teams with innovative ideas, while the Best Internship Award honored students applying data analysis and modeling in industry. These achievements underscore students’ vital role in translating AI research into practical applications.
A student who recently participated in the UNIST Artificial Intelligence Challengers Program (AICP) shared an innovative startup idea from their AI project.
UNIST continues to connect student startup and internship programs with local industry to solve real-world problems and foster new industries through cutting-edge AI skills.
President Chong Rae Park remarked, “UNIST Pioneers Campus has become a vibrant hub for AI industry-academic collaboration in Ulsan and southeastern Korea. Through education, research, and startups, we are boosting regional competitiveness and creating new growth engines.”
The AI Novatus Academia also saw success, with over 400 participants from 266 companies—including HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and Korea Zinc—completing specialized AI training. Graduates reported improved problem-solving skills, and companies noted increased productivity. Building on this, UNIST plans to expand tailored AI training and support local SMEs in adopting AI technologies.
Key AI research achievements of UNIST are showcased at the WAVE 2025 exhibition booth.
From November 12 to 14, UNIST Pioneers Campus operated an experiential booth at WAVE 2025, showcasing industry-focused AI research and education programs, including projects from Novatus Graduate School, resident companies, and faculty. Demonstrations included Professor Hui Sung Lee’s mobility and robotics research, AI travel services by Core[Dot]Today, and the mobile welding tracking device by CRESC AI Inc., illustrating practical AI industry applications.
Through this expo, UNIST aims to strengthen its AI research and industry collaborations, fostering a sustainable industry-academic ecosystem.
