An expo to show AI already in use
The special city of Hwaseong, in Gyeonggi Province, will hold the AI expo “MARS 2026” at Coex in Seoul from November 3 to 5, under the slogan “AI CITY IN ACTION.” ETNews reports. The event will be attended by 56 companies and institutions, spread across five thematic areas: mobility, manufacturing, daily life, urban management and aerospace. The stated goal is to discuss how to apply AI in industrial processes and public administration, alongside programs for technology exchange and attracting investment.
The exhibition will not be just a showcase: alongside the stands, conferences are planned on integrated local healthcare, autonomous driving, aerospace and manufacturing logistics. The city presents the initiative as a public review of its digital transformation projects, not as an announcement of new technologies.
Who is participating and what will be on display
Among the participants are Hyundai Motor Group and Kia, Shinsegae Properties, Hybridnet, UBTECH, Robocare and a KAIST aerospace research group. Also announced are 31 local Hwaseong companies and two municipal offices, which will present cases of AI conversion in public administration. The five areas cover future vehicles and urban air mobility, AI for manufacturing, digital healthcare and home automation, traffic control and urban data, satellite technologies and space data.
The program on November 3 opens with a talk by Sam Richard, a professor at Pennsylvania State University, on Korea’s possible role in global AI leadership. This is followed by the launch ceremony of the “2026 MARS Alliance.” The same day is expected to see the establishment of a city task force for the aerospace industry and a forum dedicated to low-Earth-orbit satellite communications. The city also announced that in 2027 it will launch a study for a comprehensive development plan for the aerospace sector.
Investments and issues to verify
November 4 is dedicated to businesses: the “MAX UP” collaboration program, a meeting with investors and an “AI Invest Day” to connect startups and capital. Awards are planned for Hanwha Solutions, Acretake Korea and Abiman Robotics, as well as a memorandum with Applied Materials for cooperation on investment and local development. Daewoong Bio will present its investment case in the Hyangnam pharmaceutical district.
Some points remain to be clarified. The material lists the announced partners but does not specify the economic value of the agreements or the timelines for implementing the announced initiatives. The participation of Hyundai and Kia is mentioned without details on what they will exhibit. The creation of the aerospace district itself is described as a strategic goal, not as an already-funded project. Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun called the event an opportunity to share Hwaseong’s administrative know-how in AI with international cities and companies. Online registration is open until November 2; there is a fee for on-site admission.
