Hwaseong City to Boost Citizen and Business Competency with "AI Innovation School"... "MARS 2026" at COEX in November

AI Lab and Regional Campuses Linked for Customized Education for Citizens, Public Officials, Businesses, and Schools

First 20 AI Citizen Leaders Certified; To Deliver Training in Schools, Companies, and Welfare Facilities

Mayor Jeong Myunggeun: "We Will Showcase a People-Centered AI Ecosystem on the Global Stage"

Hwaseong Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Jeong Myung-geun) is officially launching the "AI Innovation School," encompassing not only citizens but also public officials, businesses, and schools. In November, the city will host the global AI expo "MARS 2026" at Seoul COEX, presenting Hwaseong's artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem to the world stage.

Students of the AI Innovation School are attending lectures using laptops rented from the AI Lab. Provided by Hwaseong City

On September 7, Hwaseong City announced that it would integrate the AI education programs previously operated by various departments and institutions into the AI Innovation School, thereby building a customized education system tailored to different audiences and proficiency levels.

The main programs include basic AI competency courses, AI Citizen Leader and Hwaseong AI Champion training, school-focused programs, as well as on-site corporate training sessions.

In April, the city converted its former Smart Integrated Operations Center into the "AI Innovation Center" and established a hands-on training space called "AI Lab" on the fourth floor of the center. The AI Lab is a space for training, practice, and participant networking, providing equipment such as laptops and mice so that citizens can participate in education without needing to bring their own devices.

The AI Lab serves as a key training hub for enhancing AI competency among Hwaseong's 1.07 million citizens by connecting with four regional campus bases in Manse, Hyohang, Byeongjeom, and Dongtan.

The city is also promoting the "AI Citizen Leader Training Program," which encourages citizens not only to learn AI but also to share their knowledge within the community. This year, a budget of 35 million won has been allocated to train a total of 40 citizen leaders—20 in the first half and 20 in the second half of the year.

Participants receive step-by-step training ranging from the practical use of generative AI to developing educational content and teaching practice. Only those who pass the demonstration teaching assessment can become certified. On August 17, 20 out of 37 first-half graduates who passed the final evaluation were awarded certificates.

Students of the AI Innovation School are attending lectures using laptops rented from the AI Lab. Provided by Hwaseong City

Certified citizen leaders will be dispatched to local schools, companies, and senior welfare facilities, where they will deliver customized AI education to each audience.

Building on these achievements, the city will host "MARS 2026" at Seoul COEX from November 3 to 5. Last year's event attracted more than 13,000 visitors.

This year's expo will showcase cutting-edge technologies, including "Mobility AI" covering future vehicles, autonomous driving, and urban air mobility (UAM), as well as advances in manufacturing and industrial AI, robotics, healthcare, smart homes, transportation, safety, urban data, aerospace, and satellite data.

Alongside exhibitions of advanced AI technologies, the event will feature seminars, forums, conferences, IR pitching, and investment consultation sessions. The city plans to connect local AI companies with domestic and international investors and experts to support overseas expansion and new market opportunities for these businesses.

Mayor Jeong Myung-geun stated, "AI innovation is realized when every citizen can independently enhance their AI capabilities in daily life and share their learning. The launch of 'AI Lab' and the development of 'AI Citizen Leaders' are important achievements for building a people-centered AI city of the future and for the 1.07 million citizens growing together with AI."

Students who completed the AI Civic Leader Training Course are taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Hwaseong City

He added, "By successfully hosting MARS 2026, we will showcase the innovative AI ecosystem built in Hwaseong City to the global community and proactively support international expansion for local businesses."

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