AI-Powered Cities Come to Busan... 'World Smart City EXPO' Kicks Off

Three Days of Events at BEXCO Starting September 9

Smart cities are evolving into "AI cities" with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). Cities and companies from both South Korea and abroad are gathering in Busan to showcase the future of urban life powered by AI technologies.

The Busan Metropolitan Government announced on the 8th that, together with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Science and ICT, it will host the "2026 World Smart City Expo (WSCE)" for three days from September 9 to 11 at Exhibition Hall 1 of BEXCO.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the WSCE is held under the slogan "Beyond Smart City, Into AI City." The event looks back on a decade of achievements in smart city technology and introduces AI-based future city technologies and services, including the newly launched government initiative "K-AI City."

At the opening ceremony on September 9, Jeon Jaesoo, Mayor of Busan, will deliver a keynote speech titled "AI City: The Role and Vision of Local Governments." This will be followed by Hubert Beroche, CEO of Urban AI, delivering a keynote on "Coexistence of AI, People, and Cities," and Sungwoon Kim, CEO of Upstage, giving a keynote on "AI that Intelligently Moves a City."

There will also be an inauguration ceremony for AI-specialized pilot cities such as Wonju, Cheonan, Asan, and the Saemangeum AI Hydrogen City. At the "WSCE Leaders Forum," where AI industry representatives from Korea and abroad participate, presentations and discussions will focus on city operations using AI and models for future cities.

A total of 277 organizations from South Korea and overseas will participate in the exhibition. They will showcase a wide array of technologies and services related to urban living, including AI, transportation and mobility, housing, energy and environment, security and disaster prevention, and healthcare.

The "K-AI City Special Exhibition" will introduce highlights from the past 10 years of smart city development and the latest AI city policies, while the "Busan Smart Ocean Pavilion" will focus on smart port and AI technologies. There will also be spaces allowing attendees to experience futuristic residential technologies, such as zero-energy buildings and modular housing.

Across 41 conferences and side events, experts will discuss topics such as AI city policy, digital twins, carbon neutrality, hydrogen cities, smart buildings, and AI for oceans and ports. An "AI City Talk Concert," featuring YouTubers from the science field, will also be held to make the future of AI cities accessible to the public.

Programs to support international expansion and technology cooperation for companies are also planned. A business matchmaking event will be held with 42 companies from 18 overseas countries and 20 Korean buyers, and KT and Dassault Systèmes will operate an open innovation program aimed at technological collaboration with small and medium-sized enterprises and startups.

"K-ICT WEEK in BUSAN," the region’s largest integrated ICT event, will also be held in conjunction, presenting exhibitions and programs on AI, cloud, robotics, quantum technology, and more.

Yoon Duk Kim, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, "The 2026 World Smart City Expo is an opportunity to get a closer look at the AI city that is being newly prepared, building on the achievements of previous smart cities."

Mayor Jeon Jaesoo of Busan emphasized, "Busan will lead the way in creating a people-centered AI city model by combining innovative technology with our marine, port, and entire urban infrastructure."

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