What is the Global AI & Digital Summit in Seoul focused on?

The summit is focused on exploring how artificial intelligence and digital transformation can deliver practical development gains. It brings together government officials, development partners, private-sector leaders and researchers for ministerial discussions, policy forums and company exhibitions.

Who is co-chairing the AI and Digital Ministerial meeting in Seoul?

Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon and Kim Sang-bu, the World Bank Group’s vice president for digital and AI, are scheduled to co-chair the meeting. It is the opening component of the summit’s program.

What AI policy will Ryu Jae-myung introduce at the Seoul summit?

Ryu Jae-myung is scheduled to introduce Seoul’s major AI policies, including the AI for all initiative. The initiative aims to develop AI services accessible to everyone.

Global AI & Digital Summit kicks off 3-day run in Seoul

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Summary

The Global AI & Digital Summit kicked off its three-day run in Seoul on Monday. Co-hosted by the science ministry and the World Bank Group, the event brought together officials from about 60 nations, development partners, private-sector leaders and researchers. It is the first time the summit has been held outside the United States. The program includes an AI and Digital Ministerial meeting, policy forums and company exhibitions.

Key Facts

The summit is co-hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the World Bank Group, a family of five institutions that makes leveraged loans to developing countries.
Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon and World Bank Group Vice President for Digital and AI Kim Sang-bu are scheduled to co-chair the ministerial meeting.
Korea has hosted the AI and digital ministerial meeting since 2005, with the latest gathering held last year on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation forum.
Second Vice Science Minister Ryu Jae-myung is scheduled to present Seoul’s major AI policies, including the AI for all initiative aimed at developing services accessible to everyone.

By Yonhap

Published Oct 19, 2026 1:17 pm KST

A promotional image for the Global AI & Digital Summit co-hosted by Korea's science ministry and the World Bank Group / Captured from its official website

A global event aimed at exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation can deliver practical development gains kicked off its three-day run in Seoul on Monday, the science ministry said.

The Global AI & Digital Summit, co-hosted by the ministry and the World Bank Group — a family of five institutions that makes leveraged loans to developing countries —brought together government officials from some 60 nations, as well as development partners, private sector leaders and researchers.

This year marks the first time the summit was held outside of the United States, the ministry added.

The event will begin with an AI and Digital Ministerial meeting, co-chaired by Science Minister Bae Kyung-hoon and Kim Sang-bu, the vice president for digital and AI at the World Bank Group, followed by policy forums and exhibitions from participating companies.

Korea has been hosting the AI and digital ministerial meeting since 2005, with the most recent gathering held last year on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum.

Second Vice Science Minister Ryu Jae-myung is scheduled to introduce Seoul's major AI policies on Monday, including the ministry's "AI for all" initiative aimed at developing AI services accessible to everyone, the science ministry added.

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