The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Science and ICT have launched a pilot version of the 'Smart Shopping Map' application, which allows consumers to compare prices of fresh agricultural products based on their location. The government plans to enhance the service through this pilot program and aims for a nationwide rollout in the second half of next year.
On September 21, the two ministries held a launch ceremony for the 'Smart Shopping Map' at Osco in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, and announced the formation of a price information consortium. This consortium includes the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, app developers, participating retailers, the Korea Mart Association, and consumer organizations.
The app will initially operate in five regions: Suwon in Gyeonggi Province, Wonju in Gangwon Province, Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province, Jeonju in North Jeolla Province, and Changwon in South Gyeongsang Province. Consumers can check prices and discount information for fresh agricultural products sold at nearby stores based on their location.
The app will also offer services linked to artificial intelligence (AI), allowing users to find recipes for desired agricultural products or recommended places to purchase them, thereby enhancing the shopping experience.
During the pilot period, the government will verify the accuracy of the price information provided by the app by comparing it with actual selling prices. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Science and ICT visited the Asan Mart in Cheongju to promote app downloads and events while checking the accuracy of the price information on-site.
The 'Smart Shopping Map' is part of the Ministry of Science and ICT's top 10 AI livelihood projects, aimed at applying AI in areas closely related to daily life so that citizens can experience its benefits.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to enhance features for consumer convenience during the pilot phase and push for nationwide commercialization in the second half of next year.
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Song Mi-ryung expressed hope that the pilot launch of the 'Smart Shopping Map' app will significantly reduce the inconvenience consumers face in checking prices at nearby stores. She stated, 'We will strive to enhance consumer convenience during this pilot period and ensure that the 'Smart Shopping Map' establishes itself as a national shopping assistant.'
Lee Do-kyu, Director of the Information and Communication Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Science and ICT, described the launch of the 'Smart Shopping Map' as the first step in the AI livelihood project, highlighting its significance as a practical example of AI creating real value in areas close to citizens' daily lives. He added, 'We will continue to actively support the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and other relevant departments in discovering and expanding AI services that citizens can truly experience.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.