The Korea Federation of Small and Medium Businesses (KFSBM), presided over by Chairman Kim Gi-moon, announced on the 18th that it held the "Small Businesses' New Growth Driver: AI Transformation (AX) Dissemination Policy Forum" in Yeouido.

This forum aimed to align the voices of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the national discourse on industrial AI transformation. It highlighted the necessity for customized policy strategies to accelerate AX dissemination across various sectors, thereby fostering economic resilience.

In his opening remarks, Ok Gi-woong, Executive Vice Chairman of KFSBM, emphasized the marginalization of many SMEs in the AX trend. He called for a concrete action plan to ensure that AX transcends mere rhetoric and becomes effectively integrated into the broader SME landscape. This underscores a critical operational shift: transitioning from general advocacy for AI adoption to sector-specific actionable strategies that can enhance competitiveness and operational efficiency.

Kim Joo-mi, Senior Research Fellow at the Small and Medium Business Research Institute, presented the first agenda item, focusing on tailored AX policy directions for small manufacturing enterprises. She advocated for a paradigm shift from supply-driven to ecosystem-centric policies, accentuating the importance of bridging industry-specific gaps in AX implementation. This signals a new business model perspective where cohesive industry responses become vital for driving AX adoption across the board.

Lee Young-hwan, Director at Korea University’s Digital Innovation Research Center, discussed strategies to maximize AX dissemination within SMEs, drawing on successful case studies to suggest support measures leveraging intermediary organizations. This highlights a community-driven commerce approach, indicating a trend toward collaboration and partnership models that can drive better engagement and resource sharing in the sector.

The discussion featured a comprehensive panel, moderated by Jin Byung-chae, Professor of Industrial Engineering at KAIST and former President of the Small Business Association. Experts across public, private, and research sectors delved into strategies tailored to the unique operational structures of SMEs. Professor Han Yong-hee from Soongsil University highlighted that lightweight automation utilizing "vibe coding" is better suited for the multitasking environments of SMEs, suggesting that enhancing coding literacy among practical workers and supporting necessary infrastructure would yield more significant benefits than merely investing in hardware.

Yang Chan-hui, Head of KFSBM's Innovation Growth Division, stressed the need for sectoral approaches based on similar pain points in production processes. He posited that organized networks of cooperatives can collaboratively develop and disseminate industry-specific AI models. This revelation suggests a fundamental shift in competitive positioning, where collective intelligence and resource sharing become key drivers for industry-specific AX initiatives.

Chung Gi-cheol, Director of the Artificial Intelligence Data Promotion Division at the Ministry of Science and ICT, and Kwak Jae-kyung, Head of the AI Dissemination Promotion Team at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, highlighted existing AX support policies, committing to actively consider industry feedback in establishing effective support strategies for widespread AX integration within SMEs. This commitment reflects a recognition of the critical need for responsive and adaptive strategies in light of evolving industry demands.