"AI Is Transforming Everyday Life and Reality"... '2026 World IT Show' Opens on April 22
by Lee Sanghyun
Published 20 Apr.2026 14:10(KST)
Hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT
460 Companies from 15 Countries, 1,400 Booths
The "2026 World IT Show" (hereinafter referred to as WIS 2026), hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister: Baek Kyunghoon) and co-organized by nine organizations including the Korea International Trade Association, KAIT, IITP, ITRC, NIPA, and COEX, will be held at Halls A, B, and C of COEX in Seoul for three days from April 22 to April 24, 2026. Marking its 18th edition, WIS 2026 will be held under the slogan "Beyond Imagination to Action: AI, Moving Reality," with 460 companies from 17 countries participating across 1,400 booths (approximately 24,800 square meters), making it the largest domestic exhibition in the AI and ICT sectors.
Since its inaugural event in 2008, WIS has grown into the largest AI and ICT exhibition in Korea, establishing itself as a leading platform for global ICT trends every year. This year's event goes beyond simply displaying technology, focusing on allowing the public to directly experience how "AX (AI Transformation)" delivers tangible results across industries. It serves as Korea's largest AI and ICT business platform, bringing together government policy direction and private sector innovation capabilities in one place.
This year's WIS 2026 will showcase the latest technologies and products in the following areas: △AI & Digital Intelligence △Robotics & Intelligent Mobility △Immersive Spatial Tech △Smart Life & Data Tech. Alongside the exhibition, the "33rd Korea ImpaCT-ech Awards" (including the Presidential Award), which encourage companies that have developed innovative domestic ICT technology, and the "2026 WIS Innovation Award" for participating companies will be presented. On the second day of the event, April 23, a "New Technology and New Product Presentation" will be held at a special stage in Hall C, where participating companies will unveil their latest technologies and products.
This year, WIS 2026 will introduce four new programs. These include: ▲"K-Physical AI Roundtable," an open discussion stage for leading K-AI companies ▲"K-AI Champions IR Day," a public-private joint investment attraction program for winning companies from competitions such as the "K-Digital Grand Championship" ▲"AI & ICT Insight Forum," which discusses national AI competitiveness ▲and "K-Entertech Global Summit," which covers entertainment × tech × AI, future monetization strategies, and global trends.
The special exhibition halls have also become more diverse. In addition to the "K-AI Semiconductor Ecosystem Hall," featuring companies such as Rebellions, FuriosaAI, and DeepX, and the "Award Tech Hall," which brings together domestic and international award-winning companies such as CES Innovation Award winners, two new spaces have been established: the "Global Hall," which gathers major overseas companies by country, and the "Entertech Hall," which showcases the convergence of entertainment and technology. In particular, the "Award Tech Hall" operates to support innovative companies in pioneering overseas markets and attracting investment.
WIS's main programs remain highlights of the event. The "Global ICT Outlook Conference," which provides insight into the latest issues and trends in domestic and global AI and ICT, offers a future perspective and will feature ICT industry experts presenting more than 10 topics across two main sessions, including keynote addresses. The "Mingling Zone" is also a popular program among participating companies every year, and is operated in three main sessions: ① In the joint exhibition zone, startups receive support for investment attraction and growth, and investors share their investment results; ② The Business Connecting Program aims to foster cooperation between large, mid-sized, and small companies regarding technology and products by identifying business partners and providing networking opportunities between potential buyers and investors; ③ The "Integrated IR Day" features promising companies validated through ICT competitions, beginning with a keynote on discovering and nurturing AI startups and followed by IR pitches from promising AI and ICT companies.
The "Global ICT Buyer Export Consultation," hosted by the Korea International Trade Association, will see about 50 overseas buyers from 14 countries-including the UK, US, Japan, and Singapore-conducting one-on-one export consultations with promising Korean ICT companies. Domestic companies seeking practical cooperation for global market expansion will use this program to introduce their innovative products and global-level technologies to international buyers. Additionally, a diplomatic exhibition tour, inviting foreign diplomats in Korea to directly experience cutting-edge Korean ICT technology, will be held on April 23.
An official from WIS 2026 stated, "This year's World IT Show will be an opportunity to vividly witness how AI is driving real change not only in technical fields, but also in everyday life and industrial sites," adding, "Through this event, we are determined to further enhance the global standing of K-AI."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.