On Wednesday, September 16, the "AI Great Transformation Festa 2026" grandly opened at Cheongju OSCO.

Co-hosted by Chungbuk Province, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and Cheongju City, this event is the Chungcheong region's largest AI and digital convergence festival. A total of 62 companies and institutions from both inside and outside the province participated, with around 5,000 visitors expected to attend.

The opening ceremony took place at 2 p.m. on the same day, attended by key guests including Chungbuk Governor Shin Yong-han, Cheongju Mayor Lee Jang-seop, Chungbuk Provincial Assembly Chairperson Lee Sang-sik, and lawmakers Song Jae-bong and Lee Kang-il. In particular, a ceremony featuring introductions of VIPs by a generative AI character and a laser lighting performance captivated the attendees and added significance to the opening event.

During the event period, a variety of programs will unfold in earnest, including ▲AI and digital technology exhibitions, ▲AX forums and seminars, and ▲AI experience programs, providing a communication platform for diverse demographics ranging from industry professionals to ordinary citizens.

Among them, the exhibition hall is operated in four main sections: the Digital Innovation Hub Pavilion introduces the achievements of local digital companies; the Innovation Network Pavilion highlights cooperation cases among industry, academia, research institutes, and government; and the Chungbuk Institute of Science and Technology Innovation Pavilion promotes support projects for building the AI ecosystem.

In particular, the Future Industry Pavilion features leading domestic companies and research institutions such as LG AI Research, Celltrion Pharm, and SK Keyfoundry, showcasing AI application results in cutting-edge material fields such as semiconductors, bio, and secondary batteries, richly filling the exhibition space.

In addition, experience booths such as AI Tarot and AI Future Fortune-Telling are set up everywhere, drawing a continuous stream of visitors of all ages, from elementary, middle, and high school students to adults.

Governor Shin Yong-han stated during the event, "We will leap into the center of South Korea's industrial great transformation by combining AI with Chungbuk's industrial base, such as semiconductors, bio, and secondary batteries." He emphasized, "We will quickly connect AI technology to industrial sites so that small and medium-sized enterprises, small business owners, youths, and all citizens can tangibly feel the benefits."

Meanwhile, the "AI Great Transformation Festa 2026" will continue until September 18, and Chungbuk Province plans to make every effort during the remaining period to ensure the event concludes successfully.

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