ICT-centered Smart Green Factory and ICT Convergence Policy Research of Advanced Countries Overseas

Recently, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become central to the new challenges and opportunities brought about by the 4th Industrial Revolution. As a result, innovative new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and big data are converging and connecting with each other, creating an innovative platform that has never been seen before. These radical developments in information and communication technology (ICT) are playing a central role in promoting innovation and change in businesses, industries, and governments. ICT convergence is also actively taking place in various fields in industrial settings. The convergence of ICT technologies is actively progressing in fields such as remote medical care (u-Health), smart farms, smart factories, and fintech. The government also selected 6T, including information technology (IT), nanotechnology (NT), biotechnology (BT), space technology (ST), cultural technology (CT), and environmental technology (ET), as the next-generation growth engines of the 21st century through the National Economic Advisory Council in 2001, and suggested the need for the convergence of these technologies. This study analyzes not only the essential elements for ICT convergence-based ‘Smart Green Factory’ to generate results for small and medium-sized enterprises, but also the Smart Green Factory policy cases of advanced countries. The purpose is to present practical implications for the industry and policy recommendations for the government. Second, this study emphasizes that the bold introduction of ICT convergence innovation technology is essential for the development of Smart Green Factories. Lastly, it highlights the need for ICT convergence solutions related to industrial and social disasters and safety that are being implemented in advanced countries such as the US, Europe, and Japan.