AI Meets Millennia-Old Heritage: A Decade of National Heritage Industry Evolution in Gyeongju

133 Companies and Organizations Gather at the World National Heritage Industry Expo
Expanding Beyond Preservation
Toward Technology and Content Industries

The "2026 World National Heritage Industry Expo," which showcases national heritage preservation and restoration technologies along with advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), will be held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, from September 10 to 12 at the HICO Convention Center and venues across the city.

133 Companies and Organizations Participate in the World Cultural Heritage Industry Expo in Gyeongju
[Photo by Contributor]

Jointly hosted by the National Heritage Administration, North Gyeongsang Province, and Gyeongju City, the expo marks its 10th edition this year since its inception in 2017. A record number of 133 companies and organizations are participating this year.

The exhibition space is divided into five sections: the Preservation Hall, New Technology Hall, Product Hall, Utilization Hall, and Promotion Hall. Exhibits include national heritage excavation and maintenance, safety management technologies and systems, R&D using AI, as well as crafts, food, souvenirs, and performing arts-related content.

The "Hanok Culture Expo," which introduces traditional Korean houses (Hanok), building techniques, materials, and related content, is also being held in conjunction.

In addition, the event features academic forums attended by national heritage officials from local governments nationwide, as well as domestic and international buyer consultations to encourage technology exchange and market development.

The "Heritage Future Forum," held on September 11, discussed the theme "The Era of AI Transformation: Creating New Value in the National Heritage Industry," exploring the potential for integrating AI and national heritage.

AI·XR and Other Advanced Technologies Combined with National Heritage Hanok Culture Expo Held Simultaneously
[Photo by Reader]

On September 12, the event "Rediscovering Heritage," featuring neuroscientist Dr. Jang Dong-sun and former professional Go player Lee Sedol, will examine human values and the significance of national heritage in the AI era.

During the expo, there will also be the "National Heritage Artisans Exhibition" and the "Exhibition of Intangible Cultural Heritage Holders," showcasing works by experts in heritage repair and restoration.

Special programs include "Heritage AI Cinema," which uses AI technology to introduce Gyeongju's national heritage, and the "Heritage Golden Silla XR Bus," which uses extended reality (XR) to offer tours of sites such as Cheomseongdae Observatory and Hwangnyongsa Temple.

Expansion Beyond Preservation into Technology and Content Industries

The expo is open to the public free of charge with either pre-registration or on-site registration.

The expo’s development over the past 10 years demonstrates a shift in national heritage policy, expanding the focus from simple preservation and restoration to include technology, content, and market development.

In particular, the integration of AI and XR is now serving as a proving ground for creating new industrial value, moving beyond merely protecting heritage from the past.

It remains to be seen whether Gyeongju’s vast historical and cultural assets, when combined with cutting-edge technology, can develop into a sustainable industrial ecosystem.

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