AKIPRESS.COM - Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a part of our daily lives. And while some use it actively, and others are afraid of its evolution, the world's first Robot & AI Museum (RAIM) was opened in Seoul in August 2024 by Seoul Metropolitan Government as a unique place where people interact with robots and artificial intelligence. Moreover, the robot museum was built by robots.

The futuristic shape of the museum, resembling a spaceship, reflects the innovative technologies used there. The total area of ​​the 4-story museum with two basement floors is 7,405 sq. m.

The meeting with the robots begins in the foyer of the museum. Some of them recognize human emotions. Visitors can interact with the Electronic Garden robot, which is more like a table with artificial flowers that come into motion.

Visitors ascend to the second floor of the museum via an escalator-tunnel with an image of satellite data of sky view of Seoul, processed by artificial intelligence. Visitors seem to be transported to the future, to the world of robots.

Robots in the museum can be happy and sad. For example, the humanoid robot Alice is happy when she scores a goal and is upset when she misses. This robot is still learning.

Artificial intelligence has learned to recognize a person in the environment, which it states in the output information.

Robots are used in industry, and also perform work instead of a person in life-threatening cases. For example, a robot dog is used by firefighters and police officers in the USA.

Visitors to RAIM can chat with a robot based on ChatGPT, which answers questions.

Artificial intelligence interprets the facial expressions of visitors and draws their portraits.

The museum not only showcases the potential of robots and artificial intelligence, but also helps shape discussions about smart technologies and their future, as well as the social and ethical implications of such technological developments. The museum's exhibits ask the question: can humans coexist with robots and artificial intelligence?

RAIM aims to support interactions between leading universities, research institutes, corporations and the general public by offering educational programs and opportunities to interact with robots and artificial intelligence. And today's young visitors to the museum may soon become developers of advanced technologies using robots themselves.

Another successful project of the Seoul Metropolitan Government is the Seoul Biohub, designed to support startups in the field of biotechnology and medicine.

The project is led by the Korea Institute of Science and Technology and Korea University.

The Biohub was created by the Metropolitan Government to support promising startups, attracting investments for their commercialization. The Biohub brings together leading universities, industrial enterprises, and health care organizations.

Funding for startups is attracted from international conglomerates, medium and small businesses.

"Here, large companies can find the latest technologies, and startups can access global markets," representatives of the Seoul Biohub said.

The Biohub includes four buildings, namely Industry Support Building, Research Lab Building, Local Community Building, Global Center.

Since its inception in October 2017 and until September 2024, 298 companies have been selected. 144 companies have become tenants of the Biohub.

How does it work? Medical institutions share existing gaps, while developers come up with startups, and high-potential projects get a place in the Biohub, where the office rent is 25% of the usual price. They also get access to research laboratories with the latest equipment, including a 3D printer, consultations, investments, and assistance in obtaining the necessary permits.

Thus, the 3D printer in Biohub allows printing complex structures. Previously, such structures had to be printed in parts and connected manually. But modern technologies have simplified this process by automating it.

98% of the supported startups were initiated by Korean companies, but the Biohub is also ready to consider startups from other countries.

Among the winning projects, projects on the development of medical drugs and medical equipment prevail.

Some of the successful commercialized projects included development of a drug for treatment of dementia, drugs for treatment of cancer, and equipment for improving vision.

The Seoul Biohub is an excellent example of productive cooperation between science and business. Kyrgyzstan could take a note of this model for its possible implementation. Or maybe one day a startup from Kyrgyzstan will receive support and become a resident of the Biohub in order to develop some urgently needed medical drug or equipment?

This material was prepared as part of the 2024 International Journalists' Invitation Program of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea.

AKIpress news agency thanks the Seoul Metropolitan Government for assistance and the provided photo materials.