AI and Robotics Industry Gather at Smart Life Week, Event Doubles in Size

The 2nd SLW to Be Held for Three Days Starting September 30
Participation by Companies Doubled Compared to Last Year
Experience-Oriented Exhibition and the First AI Robot Show
More Global Companies Join as the 'Korean CES'

The 2nd 'Smart Life Week (SLW)', which Seoul City is presenting as a showcase of the world's cutting-edge technologies, will be held this September. As Seoul City has unveiled its 'AI Vision' this year, the event will further strengthen its focus on AI and robotics, and will be twice as large as last year's inaugural exhibition.

On July 31, the city announced that 'SLW 2025', which aims to establish a leading model together with cities around the world under the vision of 'An AI City Accompanying the Vulnerable', will be held at COEX in Samseong-dong from September 30 to October 2.

The opening ceremony of the 1st "Smart Life Week" was held on October 10, 2024, at COEX in Samseong-dong. Provided by Seoul City

This year's event slogan is 'AI for People, Smart City for the Future'. Rather than simply showcasing advanced technology, SLW focuses on 'technology that helps people', in line with the city's philosophy of supporting the vulnerable. Previously, Mayor Oh announced after visiting 'CES 2024' in Las Vegas last year that SLW would be held as the Korean version of CES. He stated, "While CES is an event focused on technology, SLW as the Korean CES will be centered on people."

Accordingly, this second event will continue last year's theme of 'people-centered technology', and will demonstrate through exhibitions and forums how advanced technology can improve the lives of the socially disadvantaged and citizens. At the first event, wearable robots to assist the elderly and those with mobility difficulties, as well as care robots to provide companionship for seniors, were exhibited.

The scale of this year's event has more than doubled compared to last year. Last year, 109 cities, 147 companies, and 30,000 people participated. This year, the goal is to attract 200 cities, 300 companies, and 60,000 participants. The exhibition area has also been expanded by 1.7 times to 12,572 square meters.

In the showroom located within the exhibition hall, visitors can experience not just observing but actually 'living' a daily life infused with AI. There will be nine scenario-based spaces where one can start the day with AI healthcare, commute with AI mobility, and end the day with AI care.

For the first time this year, the inaugural Seoul AI Robot Show will be held under the theme of 'Extreme Robots'. Robots that collaborate with humans and overcome harsh conditions in real extreme environments such as on land, underwater, in space, and in disaster situations will be showcased to the public. There will be a robot sports competition where humanoid robots compete in archery, weightlifting, and sprinting, and citizens will also have the opportunity to operate and experience robots integrated into everyday activities such as health and running.

The participation of promising global companies in this year's SLW adds further significance. By providing a glimpse into the perspectives of leading companies outside Korea, SLW is taking another step toward becoming the 'Korean CES'. In the major companies section, Aramco, the Saudi Arabian state oil company, as well as IBM and Alibaba will be featured. The global section will include DeepRobotics and MIT. There will also be a 'thematic pavilion' showcasing innovative startup technologies in fields such as climate tech.

At the conference, which will feature leaders from renowned companies and academia, participants will analyze technology trends and share directions for urban development. Topics will include inclusive urban technology, AI ethics, and responses to the climate crisis, focusing on the social responsibilities of future cities. Speakers will include Petra Florison, General Manager at IBM; Akshay Krishnaswamy, Chief Architect at Palantir; Carlo Ratti, urban scientist at MIT; Dennis Hong, professor at UCLA; Aga Babnik from the Cambridge Maxwell Centre; and Deepak Ramanathan, Global Vice President at SAS.

The opening keynote speech will be delivered by Lee Seyoung, founder and CEO of the domestic generative AI startup RYUTTEN. Lee will address city delegations from abroad, delivering a message about technology, people, and social coexistence.

The Seoul Smart City Awards ceremony, which recognizes the best smart city innovation policies, will be held on the first day of the event. A total of 21 awards will be presented: 16 in the project category, 2 in the leadership category, and 3 special awards. Last year, Baguio in the Philippines and Reykjavik in Iceland each won gold awards in their respective fields.

Kang Okhyun, Director of Seoul's Digital City Bureau, stated, "SLW is not a one-off event, but the central stage for Seoul's smart city strategy and a collaborative testing ground with cities around the globe," adding, "We will continue to take the lead in addressing social inequality and the digital divide through technology."