In the rapidly evolving landscape of the artificial intelligence era, Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang Province) is stepping onto the global stage with a bold strategy built on industrial alliances. Co-hosted by Gyeongsangbuk-do and the Maeil Media Group, the "2026 Gyeongju Global CEO Summit" successfully convened on September 9 at Hilton Gyeongju. Drawing over 300 global leaders, corporate executives, researchers, and prominent experts, the event served as a critical platform to explore future-oriented strategies for regional growth, technological innovation, and international cooperation in the wake of shifting economic paradigms, notably following Gyeongju's proven capabilities from hosting major international events like APEC. 

The summit officially commenced with an opening address delivered by Yang Geum-hee, Vice Governor for Economic Affairs of Gyeongsangbuk-do. Emphasizing that "alliance" is the ultimate survival and growth strategy in the age of the AI war, Vice Governor Yang called for a practical implementation model termed an "Execution Alliance." Under this framework, private enterprises contribute practical field tasks and technological applications, universities spearhead academic research and talent development, and local governments provide institutional support, financial incentives, infrastructure, and field verifications. This collaborative nexus is designed to bridge structural gaps and accelerate industrial transformation across the region. 

Following the opening remarks, Joo Nak-young, Mayor of Gyeongju, delivered a welcoming speech outlining the city's ambition to evolve into a world-class business hub. He highlighted Gyeongju's transition from a historic cultural capital into a high-tech industrial powerhouse anchored by nuclear energy infrastructure and automotive component clusters. Subsequently, Wi Jung-hwan, President of the Maeil Media Group, offered congratulatory remarks, noting that the summit successfully expands the intellectual discourses of the World Knowledge Forum directly into actionable industrial and business fields.

The core of the summit unfolded across four dynamic sessions focusing on manufacturing AI transformation (AX), agritech, spatial economics, and a high-level CEO roundtable. The event drew such overwhelming interest that organizers had to operate a separate viewing room for over 100 attendees to accommodate the overflow of participants. Esteemed global innovators and tech leaders—including Sebastian Thrun, founder of Google X; Nick Radford, CEO of Persona AI; and Laura Holdsworth, Managing Director of Asia-Pacific at Booking.com—participated as key speakers. They shared profound insights on leveraging robotics, platform strategies, and data-driven infrastructures to reshape traditional industries. 

Particularly noteworthy was the "Agritech" session, which addressed mounting global food security challenges driven by climate change, aging farming populations, and rising protectionism. Experts discussed how humanoid robots and digital automation can revolutionize agricultural productivity, transforming farming into a systematic, manufacturing-like industry. Parallel to these discussions, a major milestone was achieved as Gyeongsangbuk-do, Pohang City, and local robot manufacturer Neuromeka signed a business agreement worth 170 billion KRW to establish a physical AI-based robot foundry, signaling tangible progress in regional industrial restructuring. 

The summit culminated in the CEO Roundtable, where Vice Governor Yang Geum-hee synthesized the day's deliberations into concrete execution strategies tailored for Gyeongsangbuk-do. Key agenda items included narrowing the AX gap for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), establishing testbeds for physical AI applications, and transitioning regional tourism into a stay-and-consume model. Panelists and business leaders unanimously agreed that robust data-sharing, reliable testbed infrastructures, and close cross-sector cooperation between industry, academia, and government are paramount to successfully navigating the digital and AI transition.

Concluding the summit, Vice Governor Yang remarked, "In today's fierce economic climate, no single enterprise, industry, or isolated technology can survive alone. Pooling our collective strengths through strategic alliances is an absolute necessity." She reaffirmed the provincial government's commitment to fusing advanced technologies with traditional industries and elevating Gyeongju and Gyeongsangbuk-do's global competitiveness through powerful international partnerships.

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