The U Institute for Future Strategy hosted the Ulsan in the Era of AI & Energy Transition Conference on November 21, 2025, at the Ulsan Exhibition and Convention Center (UECO). The event focused on assessing the energy infrastructure needed for regional industries in the AI era and identifying practical strategies for Ulsan’s energy transition.
The conference was organized in connection with the ‘K-Balance 2025,’ continuing a series of collaborative meetings between UIFS and the Ulsan Metropolitan Government to address local industry challenges.
More than 150 experts from Ulsan city, UNIST, Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC), SK Telecom, ENCORED, and Ulsan Technopark participated. Attendees revisited Ulsan’s strengths in the energy sector and shared insights on challenges encountered during AI adoption in the region.
UNIST President Chong Rae Park delivered opening remarks at the conference.
The event began with opening remarks from UNIST President Chong Rae Park, followed by a congratulatory address from Sun Ho Lee, Presidential Secretary for Local Autonomy and Development. The program also included three keynote presentations and a panel discussion.
Director JaeSu Shim of KNOC Smart Data Center presented on “The Role of Energy Companies in the AI Transition.”
The first keynote, delivered by Director JaeSu Shim of Smart Data Center at Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC), focused on ‘The Role of Energy Companies in the AI Transition Era.’ He provided an overview of AI adoption trends, projected electricity demand, and emerging variables in energy supply, outlining policy directions and KNOC’s AI-driven system expansion plans for Ulsan.
President John Choe of ENCORED, discussed rising data center electricity demand during his presentation on AI and energy.
President John Choe of ENCORED, addressed the growing energy consumption of data centers under the theme of AI & Energy. Using real-world examples, he discussed technical limitations in industrial applications and proposed strategies for developing renewable-energy-based power grids.
Vice President Young Tack Lee of SK Telecom emphasized the importance of manufacturing AI and energy innovation in his keynote presentation.
Vice President Young Tack Lee of SK Telecom, highlighted ‘AI in Manufacturing and Energy Innovation.’ He illustrated the competitive advantages Ulsan can gain through AI adoption in manufacturing, emphasizing that reliable energy supply is the foundation for AI deployment and a critical priority for regional infrastructure development.
Vice President Hyun Sil Ahn and panelists engage in a comprehensive discussion on large-scale power capacity, efficient energy management, and regional supply chain strategies.
The panel discussion, chaired by Vice President Hyun Sil Ahn of Research Affairs at UNIST, included contributions from Director Rhee Hanwoo of Ulsan Technopark and Professor JiBum Chung in the Department of Civil, Urban, Earth, and Environmental Engineering at UNIST. Participants explored strategies for securing large-scale power, optimizing energy use, and establishing Ulsan-specific supply chains to support AI-driven industrial innovation.
The conference concluded with a common ground that leveraging Ulsan’s energy resources is key to advancing AI adoption in the manufacturing sector.
Director Byoung Ki Seo of U Institute for Future Strategy, remarked, “Achieving AI and energy transition simultaneously is a formidable challenge.” He added, “This conference represents an important first step in pooling expertise to find practical solutions for this complex task.”
