At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2026 in Las Vegas, U.S., Korean business leaders and experts stressed the need for a balanced AI transition strategy. This strategy should consider company size and market realities, given the global competition between the U.S. and China. They suggested that South Korea leverage its manufacturing prowess to dominate key physical AI technologies and prepare for a future where industrial platforms integrate AI and robotics.
On Tuesday, at a CES 2026 Debriefing hosted by the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) in Seoul, Kang Sung Ji, CEO of healthcare startup Welt, shared insights from CES. He emphasized the importance of a balanced AI strategy in the current tech landscape, where U.S. dominance and China’s rise coexist.
Kim Tae Hwan, Executive Director at Deloitte Korea, noted that CES has evolved from a tech showcase to a platform demonstrating ecosystem changes. He highlighted the shift in mobility focus from autonomous driving to robotics, as well as the digital acceleration across various sectors.
Son Jae Kwon, CEO of The Milkk and a CES 2026 Innovation Awards judge, and Professor Jeong Gu Min from Kookmin University discussed trends in AI, robotics, and mobility.
Son advocated for integrating Korea’s manufacturing strengths with AI to dominate physical AI technologies. Professor Jeong outlined mobility’s expansion beyond automobiles, evolving into a future industrial platform merging AI and robotics.
The event aimed to support smaller firms unable to attend CES 2026 by sharing insights into advanced technologies and helping them develop new business strategies.
Sim Geon Ho, Deputy CEO of AI-based carbon platform Hooxi Partners, found the event valuable for understanding CES trends and for enhancing his company’s strategies, particularly in AI-driven carbon-emission management.
Jeong Hee Cheol, Head of KITA’s Overseas Marketing Division, described CES as a crucial showcase of global tech trends. He committed to annual CES debriefings to help Korean companies stay competitive globally.