From Ultrasound to Genomics... Pusan National University Invests 12.1 Billion Won to Train Top AI Medical Researchers

Busan City to Support AI, Bio, and Medical Convergence Research

"Talent Development → Research and Development → Employment and Entrepreneurship → Regional Settlement"

Pusan National University has been selected for the government's Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advanced Young Researcher Training Program and will initiate AI, Bio, and Medical Convergence research, investing 12.1 billion won over the next six years.

Busan City announced on September 8 that Pusan National University was chosen for the "AI Advanced Young Researcher Support (AI Star Fellowship)" program, jointly promoted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP).

From 2026 to 2031, Pusan National University plans to invest a total of 12.1 billion won—consisting of 11 billion won from the government, 550 million won from Busan City, and 550 million won from the university itself—to develop an AI-based precision medicine platform. The AI Star Fellowship is a national project that supports early-career researchers, such as postdoctoral fellows or faculty within seven years of appointment, to produce world-class AI research outcomes.

The university’s research team will work on developing multimodal technology that integrates and analyzes various types of medical information using AI, including ultrasound imaging, biometric signals, genomic, and diagnostic data. Through this, the team aims to build a precision medicine platform that facilitates comprehensive analysis of patient-specific medical data for advanced diagnosis and treatment support.

The major research projects include technologies for 3D rendering and analysis of ultrasound images using AI, an automated diagnostic generation system based on general-purpose medical AI, and the development of nanosensors and AI prediction models related to diseases.

Industry collaboration will also be advanced. Companies such as Samsung Medison, Forty Two Maru, and Seegene Medical Foundation will participate in the research to contribute industry demand and data to the R&D process, and a cooperative framework will be established to facilitate the application of developed technologies at medical sites and within industry.

Busan City plans to use this project as an opportunity to secure regional AI research talent and foster synergy with local industries. It will support the integration of the university’s AI research capabilities with the technology and data of regional enterprises, enabling research achievements to enhance the technological competitiveness of companies and drive growth in the AI-biohealth sector.

The city will also expand step-by-step talent development programs targeting practical AI/software experts as well as advanced researchers. The goal is to create a foundation in Busan for outstanding researchers to study and grow, establishing a cycle of talent cultivation, R&D, job creation and entrepreneurship, and regional settlement.

Kim Donghyun, Director of the Future Technology Strategy Bureau at Busan City, pointed out, "To enhance the competitiveness of the AI industry, it is crucial to create a virtuous cycle where talent settles in the region and research achievements are translated into industrial applications."

Director Kim also emphasized, "We will concentrate our efforts on ensuring that the project’s outcomes lead to industrial innovation and the creation of new jobs in the region."

Busan City Hall.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.