KMI Holds 'Logistics Transformation Seminar Led by AI and Robots'

Discussing Logistics Innovation Strategies Amid Global Supply Chain Changes
Over 150 Industry Experts in Attendance

The Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), in collaboration with the Next Logistics Technology Forum (NeLT), held the 'Logistics Transformation Seminar Led by AI and Robots' at El Tower in Yangjae, Seoul on November 21.

KMI is holding a commemorative photo session at the 'Logistics Transformation Seminar Led by AI and Robots.' Photo by KMI

This seminar served as the concluding event for the forum's activities in 2025. It was organized to discuss the structural changes and future strategies that AI, robots, and automation technologies will bring to the logistics industry amid the rapidly changing global supply chain environment. Approximately 150 experts and stakeholders from various fields, including logistics, shipping, IT, and shipbuilding, attended the event, demonstrating significant interest.

The opening ceremony featured a welcome address by Kim Sungjin, Chair of the Next Logistics Technology Forum, followed by a greeting from Cho Jeonghee, President of the Korea Maritime Institute.

The presenters emphasized that as advanced technologies-such as intelligence, optimization, and automation-are rapidly spreading throughout the logistics industry, both the industrial and policy sectors need to establish technology-driven response strategies. Lee Eunkyung, Director at the Korea Maritime Institute, then introduced the research achievements of the 2025 forum and outlined future plans.

Three keynote presentations were delivered, each focusing on different industrial and technological sectors. In the first presentation, Lee Junho, Executive Director at LG CNS, discussed 'Logistics and Manufacturing Innovation Based on Physical AI,' introducing cases of humanoid robots performing repetitive and high-intensity tasks. He also explained that accumulating field-based data and advancing robot intelligence are key challenges for industrial automation.

The second presentation was given by Park Jingyu, Professor at KAIST, who addressed changes in logistics operations and highlighted the need to shift from traditional optimization-based methods to agentic AI systems capable of self-learning and decision-making. He predicted that the contextual use of data and the automation of decision-making will be core elements of future logistics innovation.

In the final presentation, Lim Dohyeong, CEO of HD Hyundai Avikus, explained the commercialization trends of autonomous navigation technology. Lim noted that AI-based autonomous navigation technology is playing a crucial role in addressing workforce shortages and environmental regulations facing the shipping industry, sharing successful examples of trans-Pacific crossings and plans for step-by-step technological advancement.

The subsequent panel discussion delved into topics such as the applicability of robots in industrial settings, strategies for securing data, the safety of autonomous ships, and the potential for AI-based decision-making automation. Experts agreed on the necessity of transitioning port operations to an 'intelligent port system' based on both Physical AI and agentic AI.

Cho Jeonghee, President of the Korea Maritime Institute, stated that this seminar went beyond simple technology sharing to jointly review structural changes and policy directions for the entire logistics industry. "We will strengthen our role as a platform that supports the establishment of national logistics strategies by linking research on logistics technology trends and industrial policies," he said.

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