The World Information Technology (IT) Show (WIS) 2025 has officially kicked off, featuring 450 information and communication technology (ICT) companies from 17 countries. The event runs from April 24 to 26 at COEX in Seoul, showcasing the latest ICT products and services, hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT.
This exhibition is the largest in South Korea, sharing the latest trends in ICT and offering a glimpse into the future. This year’s slogan is Digital Transformation through Artificial Intelligence (AI), Leading the Future with Science and Technology. Global giants like Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, SK Telecom, KT, Hyundai Motor Company, and Samsung SDS, along with promising companies excelling in AI such as FuriosaAI and Telechips, have set up exhibition booths. A total of 450 domestic and international companies and organizations are participating in the expansive 750,000-square-foot exhibition space.
The WIS co-hosts the ICT Tech Commercialization Festival 2025, which promotes the commercialization of ICT research and development results through private transfers, and the University ICT Research Center Project (ITRC) Human Resource Development Festival 2025, showcasing outstanding research outcomes from ICT talent development initiatives.
Starting at 1 p.m. on the first day, the conference features keynote speeches on topics including The Dawn of the Agentic AI Era: Preparing for Sustainable Growth (Lee Taehee, Head of AI Research at Samsung SDS), AI Transformation Led by AI Agents (Shin Yongsik, Vice President of SK Telecom), and A Journey Towards the Coming Future: The Evolution of AI and Automotive Software (Qasar Younis, CEO of Applied Intuition).
In addition, experts from various fields will discuss topics such as the impact of AI on daily life and society, corporate solutions, and innovations in cloud transformation. The event will also provide practical support for promising digital innovation companies and startups, including export consultations with buyers, investment opportunities, presentations of new technologies and products, and awards for outstanding companies. In conjunction with the opening of the WIS, an awards ceremony for outstanding companies will take place.
Samsung Electronics received the Presidential Award for developing an accelerator and neural network optimization software that enables large-scale generative AI to run on devices, as part of the Impact Tech (ImpaCT-ech) awards recognizing excellent digital innovation convergence technologies. Six companies, including Nation A, which developed a generative AI service that quickly creates 3D motion data, received the Minister of Science and ICT Award.
The WIS Innovation Award, presented to promising digital companies and startups participating in the event, was awarded to four companies, including ArtygenSpace, which developed a real-time digital reading platform for paper books that combines generative AI and augmented reality, also receiving the Minister of Science and ICT Award.
South Korea’s Minister of Science and ICT, Yoo Sang-im, indicated that the government is aiming to position the country among the world’s top three AI powers by significantly boosting investment in the sector. He noted that 1.8 trillion KRW (approximately 1.25 billion USD) has already been allocated through the main budget, and if the supplementary budget currently before the National Assembly is approved, total investment could double to 3.6 trillion KRW (approximately 2.5 billion USD). He added that efforts will be focused on accelerating the commercialization of AI technologies and translating ICT R&D achievements into tangible economic growth.
