Hanwha Group, South Korea’s seventh-largest conglomerate, has unveiled the Hanwha AI Center (HAC) in San Francisco, a global leader in artificial intelligence innovation. The center, which officially opened on December 3, was created by the group’s financial affiliates: Hanwha Asset Management, Hanwha General Insurance, and Hanwha Life Insurance.
The new AI research center plans to collaborate with the vibrant local ecosystem in San Francisco, a key center for AI development. By establishing the HAC, Hanwha Group seeks to accelerate its adoption of AI technologies.
Senior executives from Hanwha Financial attended the opening ceremony of the Hanwha AI Center, including Kim Jong-ho, CEO of Hanwha Asset Management, Na Chae-beom, CEO of Hanwha General Insurance, and Yeo Joo, Vice Chairman and CEO of Hanwha Life Insurance.
In his welcoming address, Yeo Seung-joo mentioned the center’s role in shaping the future of economic and financial services. “The Hanwha AI Center embodies a vision to create a blueprint for the future of finance,” he said. Yeo also stated that the center’s mission is to contribute to the sustainable development of South Korea’s financial sector through active cooperation with global networks, particularly in San Francisco, a leading hub for AI innovation.
The event also saw the participation of prominent AI experts, including Andrew Ng, founder of DeepLearning.AI and adjunct professor at Stanford University, along with James Landay, director of Stanford University’s Human-Centered AI.
The Hanwha AI Center is designed to drive innovation in financial services by encouraging close collaboration with universities, AI startups, and investment firms. Its key objectives include advancing AI research, creating financial products, and securing strategic investment opportunities. The center will also engage in open innovation and new business ventures to develop next-generation financial solutions that leverage AI technologies.
Additionally, the center aims to serve as a platform for discussions around the ethical and social responsibilities of finance in the age of AI. By facilitating dialogue on these critical issues, Hanwha seeks to become a thought leader in the sustainable development of the global financial industry. Through these efforts, the Hanwha AI Center will play a crucial role in shaping the future of both finance and artificial intelligence.
Hanwha Life Insurance has been actively strengthening its AI capabilities across various business sectors to evolve into a global, comprehensive financial group. Since 2014, the company has been investing heavily in AI research, positioning itself at the forefront of digital transformation in the financial industry. This strategic focus on AI is central to Hanwha Life’s vision of leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance its services and operations.
