Wonju City Expands from Medical AI to Physical AI... Building an Industrial Ecosystem with Global Companies

'NEXT AI 2026 WONJU' to Debut September 16-17

NVIDIA, Supermicro, ZEISS Among Participants

AI Computing Infrastructure Partnership Signed with Supermicro and Leadtek

Exploring New Frontiers in the Future of the Global Medical Industry

Wonju City in Gangwon Province is expanding its industrial scope from medical device and digital healthcare industries to the field of Physical AI, moving beyond traditional medical artificial intelligence (AI).

'NEXT AI 2026 WONJU' poster. Provided by Wonju City

On September 14, Wonju City announced that it will host the inaugural 'NEXT AI 2026 WONJU' event on September 16–17, under the theme "Medical Meets Physical AI."

This event will bring together global AI and advanced technology companies such as NVIDIA, Supermicro, and ZEISS, along with domestic and international experts, to share insights into the future of AI technology and industry, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

On the first day, September 16 at 5:30 p.m., a pre-networking event featuring global speakers and representatives from domestic and international AI companies and institutions will be held at the Pioretto in Seongmunan, Oak Valley.

At this venue, Wonju City, Supermicro, and Leadtek will sign a "business agreement for establishing AI computing infrastructure and building an industrial ecosystem." The three organizations plan to cooperate on ensuring a stable supply foundation for AI computing infrastructure and enhancing the competitiveness of the regional AI industry.

The global AI forum will take place on September 17 at 10:00 a.m. at the Hotel Inter-Burgo Wonju Convention Hall. Participating companies include NVIDIA, Supermicro, Zettabyte, ZEISS, Acer Medical, Advantech, Qisda, and iFlytek Healthcare.

The forum will address topics such as fostering AI talent, building computing infrastructure, integrating medical AI and physical AI, and strategies for application in industrial settings. One-on-one global business matchmaking sessions will also be held to connect domestic and international companies and medical institutions, creating opportunities for technological and business cooperation.

This event is also linked to the "Gangwon Medical and Wellness AX Transformation Project," a key initiative led by Wonju City. The city aims to establish an industrial ecosystem that encompasses everything from the development to demonstration and commercialization of medical AI technology, and to expand this ecosystem into the field of Physical AI.

Wonju is home to not only medical device and digital healthcare companies, but also key public health institutions such as the National Health Insurance Service and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. The city plans to leverage this industrial and institutional base to expand joint research with global companies, foster talent, and accelerate technology demonstration—all enhanced by AI technology.

Wonju City plans to develop 'NEXT AI WONJU,' launching for the first time this year, into a global platform that will annually address core agendas in the AI industry.

Gu Jayul, Mayor of Wonju, stated, "By combining AI with Wonju's accumulated base in medical devices and digital healthcare, we aim to seize new industrial opportunities transitioning from medical AI to physical AI. We plan to grow this into a global platform where leading companies and experts discuss future technologies and establish real-world collaborations."

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