The '2026 K-ICT WEEK In BUSAN' will open at BEXCO on September 9th.
Co-hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, Busan Metropolitan City, and Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education, 'K-ICT WEEK In BUSAN' is the largest regional information communication technology (ICT) exhibition and business event that provides business opportunities for companies and opportunities for citizens to experience new technologies and products. The event is jointly organized by the Korea Information and Communication Industry Promotion Agency, Busan Information & Communications Industry Promotion Agency, and the Electronic Times, with sponsorship from BNK Busan Bank.
This year marks the 12th event, with the theme of 'AI Hub Busan,' featuring three exhibitions (IT Expo Busan, Cloud Expo Korea, AI Korea) and nine conferences (Cloud Conference, Global AgeTech Forum, Busan Data Center Tech Summit).
The three exhibitions will showcase advanced technologies and products developed by more than 230 companies and organizations, including businesses, schools, and institutions from various regions across the country, focusing on AX promotion and AI talent development.
Busan Metropolitan City and Busan Information & Communications Industry Promotion Agency have set strategic goals for this year's exhibition and conference, focusing on 'business growth,' 'talent retention,' and 'citizen engagement.' To achieve these goals, they are implementing various changes, including integrating existing small programs, launching new programs, and expanding promising programs.
The goal of business growth is to be achieved through buyer consultations with domestic and foreign buyers and expanding public meetups.
By inviting 40 overseas buyers from major export countries for small and medium-sized ICT companies such as Japan, Vietnam, China, and Thailand, the event aims to match participating companies with potential buyers. The 'public meetups' program, which connects public demand with private technology, will also be expanded. Compared to last year, this year's participation of public meetups by companies and institutions has increased by 1.5 times, providing new market opportunities for businesses and opportunities for public agencies to introduce and accelerate AX.
Talent retention is centered around the core of regional talent's local settlement, which is a key focus of national balanced development. By expanding cooperation with the co-host Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education, this year's exhibition and conference will involve more than 50 schools, doubling the number from last year. The event will showcase the outcomes of AX talent development at participating schools and facilitate job placement and industry-academic cooperation by matching students with local businesses.
To enhance citizen engagement, the event will integrate experiential programs in various fields within the exhibition, such as AI, robotics, extended reality (XR), and digital twins, into the 'Busan AI Festival.'
Following last year's success, this year's event will also synergize with the 'World Smart City Expo (WSCE)' to further expand business opportunities for companies and citizen engagement.
Jeadeok Lee, acting director of the Busan Information & Communications Industry Promotion Agency, stated, "The goal of attracting participating companies and institutions to the exhibition has already exceeded 113%," adding that the event will greatly contribute to business outcomes for companies, talent retention, and citizen awareness of AX.