Ministry of Science and ICT Hosts ‘AI-in-Glass Forum’…Over 70 Korean Industry, Academia and Research Organizations Gather

The Ministry of Science and ICT (Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Bae Kyung-hoon) held the ‘AI-in-Glass Forum’ at the Royal Hotel in Myeong-dong, Seoul, on September 15, exploring ways for Korean industry, academia and research institutions to cooperate in fostering the AI glasses industry, a next-generation artificial intelligence device. About 150 people, including officials from relevant companies, universities and research institutions, attended the forum.

[코리안투데이] The Ministry of Science and ICT hosts the ‘AI-in-Glass Forum’ © 장형임 기자

AI glasses are devices in which artificial intelligence understands a user’s situation through cameras and microphones mounted on the glasses, and can communicate by sharing the user’s gaze and conversation. Because they allow people to use artificial intelligence without taking out a smartphone, they are drawing attention as a new AI service platform and as the form factor set to succeed the smartphone.

The forum was arranged to bring together the capabilities of Korean industry, academia and research institutions in preparation for the AI glasses market, which is expected to grow, and to find ways to cooperate for joint growth. It was held as part of the ‘AI-in-Glass Technology Development for Personal AI Agents’ project, which is supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and carried out by the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI, President Park Se-woong). The project is being pursued from 2026 to 2030 with a budget of 45 billion won.

A total of some 70 organizations spanning the entire AI glasses ecosystem — including finished products, components, displays and services — took part in the event, among them companies, universities, research institutes and associations. The participating companies included Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Samsung Display, LIG, Phonesia, VIRNECT, LetinAR, Sapien Semiconductor, SKT and KT. They shared the current state of the market and discussed ways to expand the ecosystem.

Keynote lectures were given by Professor Woo Woon-tack of KAIST, Deep.Fine CEO Kim Hyun-bae and Sapien Semiconductor CEO Lee Myung-hee, followed by a presentation on ETRI’s research and development strategy and a panel discussion on the theme of ‘Building Korea’s AI Glasses Ecosystem.’ Participants agreed that, with the AI glasses market expected to spread and grow rapidly, it is essential to establish a variety of leading cases and to create an ecosystem connecting hardware, software and content and services so that Korean companies can lead market growth.

Nam Chul-ki, Director-General for Software Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, ‘AI glasses are drawing attention as the most natural means of using AI, and the related market is expected to keep growing.’ He added, ‘By supporting the entire process — from AI glasses technology development to the demonstration of finished products and services — we will actively back Korean companies so that they can thrive in the AI glasses market, which will grow even further going forward.’

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