Seoul Unveils Vision for a Smart Future Powered by AI and Robotics

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will present a glimpse into the city’s future driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics at the upcoming Smart Life Week (SLW) 2025, set to be held from September 30 to October 2 at COEX Hall C and The Platz in Samseong-dong.

Now in its second year, SLW 2025 will be held under the slogan, “AI for Humanity, Smart Cities Leading Tomorrow,” emphasizing the role of AI and emerging technologies in solving urban challenges and enhancing citizens’ quality of life. This year’s event is expected to draw participation from 200 cities and over 300 companies, doubling last year’s scale.

Hosted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO), and organized by the Seoul AI Foundation, Smart Life Week has rapidly grown into a leading international showcase for smart technologies, inclusive innovation, and global collaboration.

The exhibition space for SLW 2025 will increase by 1.7 times compared to last year, expanding from 7,290㎡ to 12,572㎡. While SLW 2024 attracted 30,000 visitors, 109 cities, and 147 companies, this year’s event aims to welcome 60,000 visitors, alongside participation from 200 global cities and 300 companies.

A central feature of the exhibition will be the SLW Showroom, where leading Korean companies such as Amorepacific, Doosan Robotics, and Shinhan Bank will demonstrate how AI can be seamlessly integrated into nine key aspects of daily life — from healthcare and mobility to education, finance, and caregiving.

One of the most anticipated features this year is the inaugural Seoul AI Robot Show. This interactive showcase will feature humanoid robots competing in sports like archery, sprinting, and weightlifting, as well as demonstrating performance in extreme scenarios such as firefighting.

A Global Pavilion will introduce the latest smart technologies from industry leaders such as Aramco, IBM, and Alibaba, alongside startups and research institutions including Deep Robotics and MIT. Special zones will also be dedicated to climate tech innovation and thematic exhibitions aligned with sustainable urban development.

The official opening ceremony, scheduled for 1:00 PM on September 30 at COEX Hall C, will feature a keynote address by Lee Se-young, CEO of leading Korean generative AI startup Wrtn Technologies. Lee is expected to share insights on the coexistence of humans and technology in a rapidly digitizing world.

Following the ceremony, over 200 international experts and scholars will participate in 15 forums and conferences, covering the latest trends in AI, urban planning, and tech policy. Notable speakers include Petra Florizoone who is Director at IBM, Akshay Krishnaswamy who is Chief Architect at Palantir, Carlo Ratti Director of MIT’s Senseable City Lab and Dennis Hong Professor at UCLA

In line with its commitment to public participation, Seoul is expanding its citizen-driven programs. These include the SLW Citizen Innovation Award, where citizens vote on the most impactful products, and the Youth AI Hackathon, inviting young innovators to propose creative solutions to urban issues using AI, big data, and IoT.

Rather than being a one-time event, SLW is positioned as a long-term innovation platform where citizens, businesses, and governments can collaborate on the future of cities. “Our goal is to develop SLW into a sustainable platform for smart urban solutions, where we address real-life challenges using technology,” said Kang Ok-hyun, Director General of Seoul’s Digital City Bureau. “Through this, we aim to advance the Seoul-style smart city model — one that puts people first and leaves no one behind.”

https://www.hankyung.com/article/2025081990801