South Korea opens AI Festa 26 at Seoul's COEX, running Oct. 6-8
In short
AI Festa 26, South Korea's national AI exhibition, opened on Oct. 6 at COEX in Seoul and runs through Oct. 8, hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT. The event features AI foundation models from LG AI Research, SK Telecom and Upstage, along with physical AI robots, AI semiconductors and agent products. Outlets differ on the scale: Yonhap reported about 350 companies and 500 booths, while ZDNet Korea reported 216 companies and 501 booths.
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AI Festa 26, South Korea's national artificial intelligence exhibition, opened on Oct. 6 at COEX in Seoul and runs through Oct. 8. The Ministry of Science and ICT hosts the event, with the Korea Artificial Intelligence and Software Industry Association (KOSA) and the AI Festa Organizing Committee as organizers, according to Yonhap and ZDNet Korea. ZDNet Korea reported the theme as “AI, becoming reality. AI for all”, with a focus on what AI does in industry rather than only on model capabilities. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Outlets gave different figures for the scale of the event. Yonhap, citing the ministry, said about 350 companies and 500 booths are operating. ZDNet Korea reported 216 companies and 501 booths, and said last year's edition drew 60,000 visitors. The documents do not reconcile the company counts. [ 2 , 4 ]
The exhibition includes the independent AI foundation models of LG AI Research, SK Telecom and Upstage, along with AI semiconductors, physical AI and defense AI, according to Yonhap. ZDNet Korea reported the three teams had reached the third round of the independent AI foundation model project, and that winners of a national AI competition are also displayed. [ 3 , 4 ]
Robots and autonomous systems feature prominently. ZDNet Korea reported that Doosan Robotics is showing its P-series collaborative robots for logistics and construction work, its M-series for electronics and automotive use, and the Scan&Go platform combining a collaborative robot arm with an autonomous mobile robot. The same outlet reported that Rideflux is presenting full-stack autonomous driving software for urban roads and bad weather. Asia Economy's photo report showed Lotte Innovate's physical AI robot on display at COEX. [ 1 , 6 ]
AI agent products are another focus. ZDNet Korea said Dalpa is presenting its Cobra Agent, which the outlet said ranked first in global AI benchmarks, and a work-oriented Dalpa Agent; Wonder Move is showing Clopord, and Enhance is showing the computer-use agent ACT-2, according to ZDNet Korea. The outlet also listed NewenAI's Quettai analytics platform and VUSSENS beauty analysis platform, Douzone Bizon's ONE AI and Teams Sparta's AX Fortress. [ 1 , 2 ]
The program includes an opening ceremony and an AI industry policy talk show on day one, chaired by Ha Jung-woo, vice chairman of the National AI Strategy Committee, Yonhap reported. On day two, Second Vice Minister Ryu Je-myung hosts a luncheon and exhibition tour for ambassadors and diplomats from 20 countries including Britain, China and Sweden, according to Yonhap. The ministry said an international conference, an AI Summit, a Future Tech Conference with speakers from Google DeepMind, OpenAI and Perplexity and AI scholar Yoshua Bengio, plus a quantum forum and a cybersecurity conference, are also scheduled. Ryu said the ministry will keep supporting domestic AI companies' global expansion and strengthen international cooperation. [ 3 , 4 ]
On day one, national AI awards are presented. ZDNet Korea reported that Daon I&C and Rideflux receive the science minister's award, Gyorim Soft, Madras Check and Rainer receive the Seoul mayor's award, Persona AI receives a National Assembly science committee chairman's award, and Lee Seung-hyun of Alpaca Lab receives an AI leaders award from the minister. The awards recognise companies and leaders for contributions to industrial development and service innovation, according to the outlet. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The event is the science ministry's official AI week, bringing domestic and international companies, government officials and researchers together; the ministry said it wants to reflect industry difficulties in policy. It also serves as a stage for the country's independent AI foundation model project, with three teams exhibiting. The mix of government hosting and international speakers points to Seoul's push to link its AI industry with overseas partners.
Key facts
- AI Festa 26 runs from Oct. 6 to Oct. 8, 2026, at COEX in Seoul. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
- The event is hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and organized by the Korea Artificial Intelligence and Software Industry Association (KOSA) and the AI Festa Organizing Committee. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The theme is “AI, becoming reality. AI for all”. [ 3 ]
- LG AI Research, SK Telecom and Upstage are exhibiting their independent AI foundation models. [ 3 , 4 ]
- Day one includes an opening ceremony and an AI industry policy talk show chaired by Ha Jung-woo, vice chairman of the National AI Strategy Committee. [ 4 ]
- On day two, Second Vice Minister Ryu Je-myung hosts a luncheon and exhibition tour for ambassadors and diplomats from 20 countries. [ 4 ]
- On day one, national AI awards are given; the science minister's award goes to Daon I&C and Rideflux. [ 2 ]
- Lotte Innovate's physical AI robot is on display at the event. [ 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- AI Festa 26 is held Oct. 6-8 at COEX in Seoul. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
- The Ministry of Science and ICT hosts the event, with KOSA and the AI Festa Organizing Committee organizing it. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- The event includes physical AI and robot exhibits. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 ]
- LG AI Research, SK Telecom and Upstage are exhibiting their independent AI foundation model work. [ 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- The number of participating companies and booths. Yonhap reported about 350 companies and 500 booths, while ZDNet Korea reported 216 companies and 501 booths.
- That last year's event drew 60,000 visitors. Stated only by ZDNet Korea.
- Details of exhibits by individual companies such as Doosan Robotics, Rideflux, Dalpa, Wonder Move and Enhance. Reported only by ZDNet Korea previews.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- ZDNet Korea publishes a preview of AI Festa 26 exhibitors and products. [ 1 ]
- ZDNet Korea reports the event will have 216 companies and 501 booths, and that last year's edition drew 60,000 visitors. [ 2 ]
- ZDNet Korea lists the event among the week's key IT issues, noting the theme and international speakers. [ 3 ]
- Yonhap reports the Ministry of Science and ICT says the event opens, with about 350 companies and 500 booths. [ 4 ]
- Asia Economy publishes a photo report of Lotte Innovate's physical AI robot at COEX. [ 6 ]