Chungbuk Province, in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and ICT and Cheongju City, will host the 「AI Transformation Festa 2026」 from Wednesday, September 16 to Friday, September 18, 2026, at Cheongju OSCO (Osong Station Convention Center).

Co-hosted by the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA) and the Chungbuk Institute of Science and Technology Innovation (CBIST), and running under the slogan "AX Starting from Cheongju, Beyond Chungbuk into the Future," this event stands as the Chungcheong region's largest AI and digital convergence festival. The three-day exhibition is projected to bring together 62 enterprises and institutions alongside an estimated 5,000 visitors, serving as a monumental milestone for regional artificial intelligence innovation.

Driving Regional Growth Through Comprehensive AI Integration

As artificial intelligence rapidly transitions from theoretical research into industrial, urban, and everyday applications, the festival aims to showcase Chungbuk's remarkable strides in digital innovation. By spotlighting successful cases of AX (AI Transformation) across local pillar industries, the event seeks to establish a futuristic roadmap for the province and solidify its position as a central hub for cutting-edge technology in South Korea.

The core program is thoughtfully divided into three main pillars: industrial and digital technology exhibitions, professional AX forums and seminars, and interactive AI experience zones. This multi-layered approach ensures that the event caters not only to corporate leaders and researchers but also to the general public, allowing everyday citizens to experience the transformative power of AI firsthand.

Key Program Highlights and Daily Itinerary

The exhibition floor will feature 62 booths where participating companies and startups display their latest breakthroughs. Highlights include industrial AI optimization solutions, on-device AI hardware, automated robotics, and advanced materials AX platforms. These exhibits will remain open to the public throughout the entire duration of the event.

Day 1 (September 16): Grand Opening and Advanced Materials Forum

The official opening ceremony kicks off at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, September 16. It features a celebratory performance, an official opening ceremony, an immersive opening video utilizing custom AI characters, and an engaging robot arm lucky draw event for attendees.

Following the opening, the "Chungbuk AX Innovation Forum" will take center stage. Under the central theme "The Future of Advanced Materials Opened by AI," industry experts and policymakers will explore the concrete outcomes of AI applications in high-tech manufacturing, analyzing how artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping global industrial paradigms.

Day 2 (September 22 - 17): In-Depth Seminars and Digital Success Stories

The second day shifts its focus toward practical implementation, featuring a series of specialized seminars and case-study presentations. Leading digital enterprises will share their best practices in adopting cloud computing, big data analytics, and automation. These sessions are specifically designed to provide actionable insights for local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to accelerate their digital transition and fortify the regional tech ecosystem.

Day 3 (September 18): Strategic Partnerships and Future Ecosystem Building
The final day on Friday, September 18, emphasizes collaborative growth through high-level strategic partnerships. A landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed among key regional and industrial stakeholders, including Chungbuk Province, Cheongju City, LG AI Research, and the Chungbuk Institute of Science and Technology Innovation. This alliance aims to establish a robust infrastructure for an advanced materials AX platform and drastically accelerate the spread of AI transformation across Chungbuk's traditional and high-tech manufacturing sectors.

Expanding Horizons: Chungbuk’s Broader AI Vision

To fully understand the significance of the 「AI Transformation Festa 2026」, it is essential to contextualize Chungbuk's ongoing strategic initiatives. Over recent years, Chungbuk Province has systematically positioned itself as a testing ground for national digital policies. By leveraging its strong geographic advantage in the heart of the Korean peninsula and its dense concentration of biotech, secondary battery, and semiconductor manufacturing plants, the province has aggressively pursued smart manufacturing upgrades.

The partnership with LG AI Research, a leading powerhouse in hyperscale AI development, is particularly transformative. By integrating advanced large language models and domain-specific AI into Chungbuk's flagship advanced materials industry, local manufacturers can drastically reduce research and development cycles, minimize material waste, and optimize supply chain resilience. Furthermore, the selection of Cheongju OSCO as the venue highlights the city's growing infrastructure capability to host international-scale tech conventions, drawing global attention to the region's digital capabilities.

Visitor Information and Practical Details
Dates: Wednesday, September 16 – Friday, September 18, 2026
Operating Hours:

September 16 (Wed) & September 17 (Thu): 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
September 18 (Fri): 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Venue: Cheongju OSCO (OSCO), Chungcheongbuk-do
Registration: Advance registration is available through the official festival website at https://aifesta2026.kr. On-site registration will also be accommodated for walk-in visitors.
As Chungbuk continues to bridge the gap between cutting-edge enterprise technology and public engagement, the 「AI Transformation Festa 2026」 promises to serve as an indispensable catalyst for Korea's regional digital renaissance, mapping out a clear and prosperous future for the country's industrial landscape.

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