The World Smart City Expo (WSCE) 2026, a Smart City event representing the Asia-Pacific region, will raise its curtain in Busan to mark its 10th anniversary.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said on the 8th that, together with the Ministry of Science and ICT and Busan Metropolitan City, it will host the event for three days starting on the 9th at the Busan Exhibition & Convention Center (BEXCO) Exhibition Hall 1.
Launched in 2017 and now in its 10th edition this year, the event will unveil to the public the vision of an advanced "K-AI (Korean artificial intelligence) City," along with achievements in smart urban development to date, under the slogan "Beyond Smart City, Into AI City."
At the opening ceremony on the first day, the congratulatory address by the head of the Alatau Development Agency of Kazakhstan will be followed by the first presentation by Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo on the role and future vision of local governments. Next, Hubert Beroche, head of the French urban AI research institute Urban AI, and Upstage CEO Kim Sung-hoon will speak, proposing an intelligent urban ecosystem where people and technology coexist.
During the event, there will be a ceremony signaling the full-fledged start of AI-based pilot cities, as well as the WSCE Leaders' Forum gathering top global experts. After the launch of AI-specialized pilot cities with participation from Wonju City, Cheonan and Asan, and the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency, policy discussions will follow in which global leaders share strategies for future urban industries.
A total of 277 related corporations will participate in the exhibition, showcasing a wide range of technologies in artificial intelligence, future mobility, eco-friendly energy, and advanced housing and health. In particular, special zones such as the K-AI City Pavilion, the Busan Smart Ocean Hall focusing on advanced marine technologies, and a future building experience space will offer visitors a diverse array of attractions.
Business support to open channels for corporations' overseas expansion and transaction opportunities will be significantly strengthened. A consultation program will be arranged with overseas buyers from 18 countries and domestic investment firms, and an open innovation program will be promoted to foster cooperation between large corporations and startups. In addition, to help public understanding, popular science YouTubers will join a talk concert, alongside the region's flagship information and communications event and various academic programs, which will run in parallel.
Minister Kim Yun-duk of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said, "The World Smart City Expo 2026 is an opportunity to get closer to the AI City that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) is newly preparing, based on the achievements of Smart City so far," adding, "Going forward, we will not stop at merely using technology, but will build a K-AI City as a warm future city realized through technology."