SK and Ulsan Chamber of Commerce to Host 'Ulsan Forum 2026'... Discussing Manufacturing AX and Everyday AI

Over 300 Local Industry Leaders, Academics, and Citizens to Participate
Held Simultaneously with WAVE 2026

SK and the Ulsan Chamber of Commerce and Industry will discuss future innovation strategies for Ulsan, focusing on the AI transformation of the manufacturing sector and the integration of AI into everyday life.

Ulsan Forum 2026 Official Logo. SK Innovation

On September 6, SK announced that it will hold the 'Ulsan Forum 2026' in partnership with the Ulsan Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Ulsan Exhibition and Convention Center (UECO) on September 11, under the theme 'Leading AX, Smart Life Ulsan.'

Now in its fifth year, the Ulsan Forum was launched in 2022 to mark the 60th anniversary of SK Innovation. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won proposed the idea to envision Ulsan's future, as the birthplace of SK, in collaboration with the local community. Since then, the forum has grown into an innovation platform connecting the regional industrial sector, academia, and civic society.

This year's forum is expected to bring together more than 300 participants, including Ulsan Mayor Kim Sangwook, Ulsan Metropolitan Council Chairman Lee Younghae, Ulsan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Chairman Lee Yuncheol, SK representatives, local business leaders, academics, and citizens. The event is sponsored by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Presidential Committee for Balanced National Development, Ulsan Metropolitan City, Ulsan Metropolitan Council, University of Ulsan, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), and Ulsan College.

The 2026 forum comprises two sessions, with topics such as Physical AI Wave·Manufacturing AX Transformation, AI for Everyone, and Smart Local Ulsan.

The first session will focus on policy recommendations and execution strategies for the large-scale AI transformation of Ulsan's manufacturing industry. Lee Minwoo, Director of the Industry Growth Bureau at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, will deliver the keynote speech on 'The Government's Strategy for Advancing Manufacturing AX through Regional Hubs.' The 'M.AX Alliance,' launched in September last year with participation from manufacturing and AI companies, universities, and research institutes, will share practical case studies by key industry sector in Ulsan. Ulsan Metropolitan City officials and representatives from local companies will also serve as panelists, discussing physical AI policy recommendations to accelerate the manufacturing AX transformation.

The second session will share a vision for the future in which AI integrated into everyday life solves local social challenges and builds an AI ecosystem for the region. Song Haein, CEO of Upstage, and Lim Minhyeok, professor of Artificial Intelligence Medical Science at UNIST, will deliver the keynote speech entitled 'The Age of AI: Intelligence Embedded in Daily Life, Technology Embracing Society.' AI-driven social innovation companies will join as panelists to review the current state of AI use in public and daily spheres, and discuss ideas for applying AI to address local issues as well as strategies to accelerate AX.

An SK representative stated, "The Ulsan Forum has evolved into a platform for discussing the industrial and social challenges facing the region and connecting them with actionable solutions. This year, by addressing both the transformation of manufacturing through AX and the spread of AI into citizens' everyday lives, we expect to further flesh out Ulsan's strategy for sustainable growth."

Meanwhile, the 'WAVE 2026 (Ulsan World Future Industry Expo)' will be held in connection with the Ulsan Forum from September 10 to 12 at the Ulsan Exhibition and Convention Center (UECO). As Ulsan's premier industrial exhibition, WAVE will feature SK Group's demonstrations of how its AI capabilities—accumulated through experience in semiconductors and data centers—are actually being implemented in manufacturing environments.

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